Why the House has become ungovernable

The House Freedom Caucus is a group of about 40 far right Republicans who effectively control enough votes to prevent a Republican majority on anything without them.   Without those 40 votes, the Republican House majority of 247 cannot reach the necessary 218 votes to elect a Speaker or pass any legislation, if the Democrats vote the other way.

It was this power and recalcitrance that led to John Boehner's resignation -- and to Kevin McCarthy's dropping out of the race.   Now the Freedom Caucus is using this power to control who the next Speaker is.   Essentially, in exchange for support, they are demanding agreement on positions that would "send the entire country (and maybe the world) over a cliff," according to blogger Judd Legum on Think Progress. 

One such demand is a commitment that any bill to raise the debt ceiling will be tied to cuts in Social Security and Medicare -- a ready made prescription for shutting down the government.  And that's only one of their demands.

Asked by the National Review if he thought the House was governable, McCarthy said, "I don't know.   Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom."

You mean we aren't there yet???

Ralph