Lawmakers who have withheld support for Speaker Mike Johnson are considering a strategy that involves assigning one of the undecided members to a chair position to potentially sway the upcoming speaker vote.
Rep. Chip Roy, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, has not committed to backing Johnson for speaker. Roy is vying for the position of chair of the House Rules Committee, a role determined by the speaker, who has authority over committee leadership.
There is speculation that if Roy were appointed as the chair of the Rules Committee, it could significantly boost Johnson's chances of securing the speakership. Some members of the Freedom Caucus are advocating for Roy to be given this position, indicating that it could influence their support for Johnson during the vote.
Rep. Lauren Boebert from Colorado suggested that Johnson's commitment to appointing Roy as the chairman of the Rules Committee could potentially secure the vote in Johnson's favor on the first round.
However, Johnson has made it clear that he is not engaging in any deals or exchanges for votes. He emphasized his commitment to ensuring the effective and efficient functioning of the institution without resorting to quid pro quo arrangements.
