McCarthy Loses Speakership, Could Impact Farm Bill Timing

Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) was removed from his Speakership position on Tuesday, October 3^rd.  Eight Republicans joined all Democrats and passed the motion to vacate, 216 to 210.  This is the first time in history a speaker has been removed.  An air of uncertainty hovers over Congress as lawmakers’ chart through unknown waters.  Representative Patrick McHenry (R-NC) is the acting Speaker, so the House and the Republican party is not paralyzed in passing legislation.  However, Republicans in the House will now be spending most of their time trying to decide on a new Speaker, delaying legislation.  Acting Speaker McHenry’s first action was to call a recess, so Republicans and Democrats could “discuss a path forward”.  As of now, the top two contenders are House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), and Chairperson of the Freedom Caucus, Jim Jordan (R-OH).  The House leadership disruptions have raised concerns that efforts to reauthorize the Farm Bill could be further delayed. The 2018 Farm Bill authority expired on September 30^th. Senator Boozman (R-AR), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, recently stated that the situation in the House will cause the Senate to “double down on its efforts to finish the farm bill”.