Faced with a razor-thin division in the Legislature. Lawmakers and came together this week.
Around a surprising compromise pick for the speaker. That, when encouraged by more than a dozen members of the opposition. Secured a solution few could have imagined. .
, this is not the story in Washington, D.C. . Where Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s failed — and still ongoing. — Attempt to become speaker will go down in history
It’s a story about Pennsylvania, where Democratic lawmakers faced an impasse Tuesday. Endorsing state Rep. Mark Rozzi, a moderate rank. -And-file member of their party hoping to rise at the moment. Rosie promised to run as an independent, drawing 16 Republican votes to put him on top.
But Pennsylvania lawmakers say U.S. House. Republicans can learn some lessons from their contested speaker race — . that the best deal can be with people across the aisle rather than those on the far side of your party. These lawmakers argue that a real compromise. But, would likely leave everyone feeling a little short-changed. And that’s a good thing.
State Rep. Ryan Bizarro, a member of Pennsylvania’s Democratic leadership who was pleased. With the deal leading up to Rosie’s incoming speakership, told todaystrend News.” We were committed to not letting the radicals win,” pointing to the state-level. Independence caucus recently convened in the Keystone State.
Republicans “had an idea of who they wanted for speaker and we had a real idea of who we wanted beforehand.”
Added Bizarro, an Erie-area Democrat. “There was a compromise. And we’ve seen that reflected in the vote and Washington can get a chance to see what we’ve done and go from there. Because when both sides walk away from the table looking like they’re screwed, it’s a Big event. Compromise.”
As Rosie’s nomination came together on Tuesday, both parties still had questions. About how his leadership would work, members of both parties said. After the November election, Democrats won a one-seat majority in the state House. A chamber the party has not controlled for more than a decade. But the majority crumbled as one member died shortly. Before the election, and two vacated their seats after winning high office. Special elections for their seats, which are considered. Safe Democratic-leaning districts, are scheduled for February.
State Rep. Jim Gregory, a Republican who represents a district near Altoona that . Nominated Rosie, said his caucus was “resigned to the clock” ending Tuesday. And the organization suspended until after the February special election. Gregory and Rosie, both survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Have worked together to give victims of such abuse a new window. To sue perpetrators or institutions that protect the abuse despite existing.
Statutes of limitations preventing such claims.
Gregory said he was joking with state Rep. Tim O’Neill, a member of the Republican leadership. About tapping Rosie to become speaker. But the fun was soon pushed aside as GOP leaders considered having Rosie. Serve as an independent in exchange for winning the Republican vote — an arrangement. that would split the chamber, 101-101-1. After the special election, with Rosie not negotiating with either. The party first elected Rosie in 2012.
“Leadership called me to the front of the room, took me to the back room and said, ‘We flipped Mark to be independent,'” he said.
Democratic leader Joanna McClinton, a Philadelphia-based representative. soon announced she would withdraw her bid for speaker. And asked her constituents to support Rosie. McClinton declined Pennsylvania to comment for this story. while Rosie did not respond to a request for comment.
“And then he gave his acceptance speech and announced. That he was now going to be an independent,” Gregory said, adding that Democrats “didn’t see it coming. They had no idea.”
Rosie, a Reading-area Democrat, was elected by. a 115-85 vote over Republican Rep. Carl Walker Metzger. Rosie won the support of all Democrats and 16 Republicans.
Including all members of the GOP leadership.
“It was very brief,” Republican Leader Brian Cutler. Who represents a district near Lancaster. Said of the time it took between Rosie’s candidacy being first suggested and her vote to win. As for whether Democrats were aware of the full impact of his victory. Including his turn to be an independent, “I’m guessing with an audible gasp, many, if not all, were not.”
In brief remarks Tuesday, Rosie said on the state House floor. That he would be independent and not caucus with either party. While staffing his office with members from both parties. But members of the two parties have different views on how this will work.
On the GOP side, Cutler said he’s confident Rosie will re-register as an independent. And Gregory said Republicans will keep control of the floor schedule. State Democrats, but, list Rosie as the Democratic speaker on their official website.
“I’m not sure he . Declared himself an independent,” Bizarro said. claiming Rosie told them he would remain a Democrat.
“I think … what he was saying is that he’s going to be a real independent. An independent thinker, and he’s promised not to caucus with any of us,” Bizarro added. And it doesn’t look like the Republicans are going to. A lot.” must be controlled.”
Pennsylvania Stunner had some similarities to a speaker election in neighboring Ohio.
Where Democrats helped elect a more moderate Republican. Who was not as conservative as the candidate supported by most parties.
“the vast majority of elected representatives want to work,” Cutler said. “They want to work for their constituents, and they want to find solutions. And so if that’s a pattern of how they should do their job, it’s a good one.”
The strategy seems unlikely to replicate itself in Washington. But, where McCarthy failed to win the 13th vote on Friday, though he managed to convert Republican. Holdouts to his camp after days of negotiations. House Republicans told todaystrend News. They are not looking to work with Democrats to elect a more center-right. Speaker to govern their new majority.
Gregory said the Pennsylvania election “isn’t apples to apples.” With the ongoing battle for control of the US House.
“This scene was so unique that I don’t see how it could be possible in the world they live in now,” Gregory said. “It was such a unique relationship that presented itself.”
Bizarro expressed hope that Washington leaders would end the week electing. “A true moderate voice” who could bring Pennsylvania “consensus to the chamber.”
“For leader McCarthy to come back and come back and come back, it’s a bit embarrassing for him,” he said. “I mean, he’s being humiliated in front of the nation.”
