The delay in the effort to get 217 Republicans to back anyone for speaker is leading some House members to start reconsidering the idea that Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick T. McHenry is little more than a placeholder.
Rep. David Joyce said Thursday that he has had discussions about the possible mechanics of granting additional powers to an interim speaker, perhaps for a limited period.
“From my understanding, going back and forth and parliamentarian and Rules … the possibility exists to give somebody … full duties, excuse me, for a limited period of time,” the Ohio Republican said.
