Tom Emmer’s Name Tossed Around as Potential House Speaker

(KNSI) — Minnesota’s Sixth District Congressman Tom Emmer’s name has been tossed out as a potential next Speaker of the House as lawmakers square off ahead of a possible government shutdown.

It took 15 ballots before current Speaker Kevin McCarthy was elected earlier this year, with some members of the House Freedom Caucus voting “present” before voting in favor. According to the Washington Post, some of those same members are trying to rally around Emmer to take his place. The Washington Post reported Emmer said he had “no interest” in the position, adding, “Kevin McCarthy is the speaker and I support him.” Emmer is House Majority Whip, so he’s next in line behind McCarthy.

Ousting McCarthy now would throw the House into disarray as both sides try and come to some agreement on spending bills before the government runs out of money. The GOP’s House Freedom Caucus is digging in their heels, saying they won’t pass any bill that includes money for Ukraine and does not secure the border. The House put forth a stopgap funding bill that would keep the government running through the end of October, but that doesn’t have enough support, either.

McCarthy told reporters the Democrat-controlled Senate said they want to do something about border security, and that could be a jumping off point for a continuing resolution.

Congress has until 11:01 p.m. Central time on Sunday, October 1st, to come to an agreement. The federal government’s fiscal year runs from October 1st to September 30th, and a 2024 budget has not been passed.

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