Rep. Jim McGovern Slams House GOP Rules Package as Favoring Billionaires and Undermining Minority Power

Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern criticized the House GOP’s newly released rules package on Wednesday, accusing Republicans of “doubling down on their extremism” and creating a legislative agenda that favors billionaires and large corporations while further diminishing the power of the minority party.

McGovern, the top Democrat on the House Rules Committee, expressed his concerns in a statement, highlighting several key provisions of the proposed rules. One of the most contentious changes, according to McGovern, is a provision that would shield the Speaker of the House from accountability. McGovern stated, “For the first time in American history, the GOP rules would make it so that only Republicans can move to oust the speaker.”

The new rule would allow only members of the majority party to introduce a resolution to vacate the House speakership, requiring the support of eight cosponsors from the majority party before the resolution is considered. This marks a significant departure from previous practice, where any member from either party could propose such a motion.

Axios noted The new rules also pave the way for fast-tracked consideration of several Republican bills, including measures to sanction the International Criminal Court and prevent a moratorium on fracking. McGovern pointed out that under these rules, neither party would be allowed to offer amendments to these bills, further consolidating power in the hands of the majority party.

McGovern criticized the GOP’s legislative priorities, claiming that the proposed bills offer “the clearest window yet into their agenda for the next two years.” He noted the lack of measures to address pressing issues such as inflation, healthcare costs, and affordable housing. “Here’s what I see: Nothing to help workers. Nothing to bring down grocery prices.

Nothing to lower rent or make housing more affordable. Silent on inflation and healthcare costs. Next to nothing on jobs and the economy,” McGovern said. “Instead, I have no doubt they’ll find time to pass tax breaks for billionaires and massive corporations at the expense of everyday Americans.”

Further reports from The Washington Post revealed that Republicans plan to offset the costs of their proposed tax cuts by slashing federal nutrition assistance, imposing work requirements on Medicaid recipients, and blocking a rule that would require Medicare and Medicaid to cover anti-obesity medications.

“The American people did not vote for whatever the hell this is,” McGovern added. “And you better believe that Democrats will not let Republicans turn the House of Representatives into a rubber stamp for their extremist policies.”

The GOP’s proposed rules package will be put to a vote once a Speaker is chosen, which could happen as soon as Friday. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is running for re-election but faces slim margins and at least one Republican challenger, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.). With the upcoming presidential electors’ confirmation on January 6, the pressure is mounting on the GOP to resolve the leadership contest quickly.