‘We Put Sharp Knives in the Hands of Children’
AtlanticMAY 2023
The Spin
Republican narrative
It's time now to proceed. 217 votes must be either found in favor of Scalise, or Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) must be given the appropriate powers to run the House in the short term. The situations concerning Israel, Ukraine, and a federal shutdown must be addressed — there seems to be a path forward now for the next chapter of GOP-led House leadership.
Democratic narrative
Despite Scalise's nomination, Republicans in the chamber are in fact bitterly divided and the Louisiana lawmaker's power seems to have already been undermined by a lack of party consensus. With the pro-Jordan faction potentially refusing to accept defeat, Americans may be in for a repeat of the chaos of January. The GOP needs to figure this out with so many simmering crises.