The first, says Gingrich, who served as the 50th speaker, from 1995-1999, is electing a new Speaker, probably next Wednesday or Thursday. Already, several capable candidates have stepped forward.
That will set the stage for the much larger, harder predicament: "How to get the GOP conference to band together as a single team so it can truly lead the narrowly split House, contend with the Democratic-moderate Republican coalition in the Senate and check the White House."
First, Republicans must decide what to do with their eight GOP colleagues who not only voted with all Democrats to oust McCarthy but also voted against conservative continuing resolutions to keep the government open.
"At a minimum, the conference should demand pledges from the eight that they will not vote for any other motions to vacate for the rest of this Congress."
If they don't, Gingrich says, "they should not be allowed to vote in the conference Speaker's election. They have given up the right to pretend to be loyal Republicans, so why should they help pick the next Speaker?"
Then the GOP conference should move on and get back to business. There's much work to be done, including passing appropriations bills and a balanced budget plan.
In the longer term, Republicans must listen to their constituents and develop a legislative agenda that will unite them. And they must also pool their resources "to recruit and help fund enough candidates to add 20 to 30 seats next year, which would solve a lot of internal problems."
"Essentially, House Republicans need to do what they always need to do: Listen to the American people — and represent them well."
Read the op-ed at TheHill.com.
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