- The Washington Times - Tuesday, October 6, 2015

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer said Tuesday it will be up to the Republican majority to decide who replaces departing Speaker John A. Boehner this month, downplaying what role, if any, Democrats will play if his likely successor cannot rally majority support from the chamber.

Mr. Boehner, Ohio Republican who decided to resign at the end of this month amid pushback from conservatives in his caucus, has scheduled a floor vote for speaker on Oct. 29, or three weeks after the GOP caucus votes behind closed doors for their nominee.

“I think Republicans are going to have to decide this on their own,” Mr. Hoyer, Maryland Democrat, told reporters.

The current majority leader, Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California, is the favorite to succeed Mr. Boehner, although competition from Rep. Jason Chaffetz, Utah Republican, and Rep. Daniel Webster, Florida Republican, could make it difficult for him to the 218 floor votes he needs to secure a win before the full chamber.

Mr. Hoyer said the “overwhelming majority” of Democrats would support their leader, Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California, during the vote, but had little to say about whether they’d strategize to sway the outcome in favor of a certain GOP candidate.

“We’re certainly thinking about all these things,” Mr. Hoyer said, adding: “Republicans will have to make this decision, and we’ll see what that means for us.”

Mr. Hoyer said whoever becomes speaker would be making a “very significant mistake” if he or she is beholden to a small minority within the GOP caucus “to the detriment of the country.”

In the meantime, he checked off a laundry list of key items he’d like to see done before the end of the month, from a long-term funding deal and raising the nation’s borrowing limit to passing a highway funding bill and reviving the expired Export-Import Bank.

For now, the leading Democrat appears to be relishing a Republican caucus in disarray.

Mr. Hoyer said his beloved University of Maryland football team is hurting this season, “but not as much as the House Republicans.”

• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.

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