Kevin McCarthy’s First Test

Playbook: “The rules package that will govern how the House operates this session is scheduled for a vote this evening. It’s shaping up as McCarthy’s first big test in governing what is shaping up to be an ungovernable Republican majority.”

“The package is the closest thing to a contract drawn up between McCarthy and his internal critics. Alongside various side deals dealing with committee assignments, budget policy and other matters, the rules changes define the devolution of power away from leadership and towards the House Freedom Caucus. If tonight’s vote goes down, the entire project unravels.”

“McCarthy originally wanted to push the deal through the House immediately after members were sworn in on Saturday — the more scrutiny the rules package received the more difficult it would be to pass. But the late-breaking floor drama prompted a change of plans (and averted the hypocrisy of passing a package that includes a 72-hour-review rule for legislation just a few hours after it was revised.)”

Punchbowl News: “This is a tightrope walk. As with everything in this Congress, McCarthy, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer can only afford to lose four votes if they want to pass this package.”