NASHVILLE — U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Southeast Tennessee, says this week's ouster of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy by a coalition of eight GOP hard-liners and 208 Democrats serves notice of how disciplined Democrats are and the need for GOP members to elect a new speaker who can inspire the conference to act likewise.
"Sadly, we lack the discipline in our conference," said Fleischmann, who voted to retain McCarthy, as did other state GOP delegation members with the exception of U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, of Knoxville.
U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Florida, led the ouster effort, with Burchett and other GOP conservative hard-liners joining him in voting to remove McCarthy, who was elected in January to the top House post. It was the first time in U.S. history that has happened.
"This next speaker choice is going to need to be an infielder, a unifier, a persuader, but also someone who needs to be able to instill some discipline," said Fleischmann, chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee for Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies during a Chattanooga Times Free Press interview Thursday.
Fleischmann, a member of the House's middle-right Republican Study Committee, said he is now backing Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana, in his bid to lead the fractious chamber.
(READ MORE: Burchett claims McCarthy mocked him for praying over move to oust the speaker)
Fleischmann and Scalise are longtime friends. They were among representatives playing in a 2017 practice session for the annual Congressional Baseball Game in Alexandria, Virginia, when a gunman opened fire, shooting six people. Among the wounded was Scalise. Fleischmann was not injured. Scalise is now being treated for a form of blood cancer. Fleischmann said it's treatable and shouldn't affect Scalise's bid for speaker.
"We need someone like Steve Scalise to take over and lead right away," Fleischmann said. "We do not have the luxury of time for any of the other candidates who are fine and excellent people. But there would be a learning curve. We don't have time for a learning curve. We have disunity in our conference. Steve is a unifier and will be able to proceed to the floor on Day One and get the job done."
Also running is House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan, an Ohio Republican and founder of the chamber's Freedom Caucus.
"He's a fine gentleman," Fleischmann said of Jordan. "He's intelligent. He's doing an exemplary job, in my view, as chair of the Judiciary Committee and could and would do a good job as speaker. Having said that, I am supporting Steven Scalise for the reasons I alluded to."
(READ MORE: Fleischmann one of 2 Tennessee GOP reps to support spending bill)
Efforts to reach U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tennessee, through a spokesperson were unsuccessful Thursday.
The Sherwood Republican, like Burchett a Freedom Caucus member and a staunch conservative, spoke on Nashville radio station WWTN. DesJarlais also opposed the motion to vacate.
"This is about the Republican conference with a four- or five-seat majority showing America we can govern," DesJarlais told WWTN morning host Dan Mandis. "I stand on us getting together in the conferences, getting behind closed doors and in the end coming up with the best agreement. You're not going to get 100% what you want ... in life."
U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Northwest Georgia, said her pick for speaker is former President Donald Trump.
"The only candidate for Speaker I am currently supporting is President Donald J. Trump," she said on social media. "He will end the war in Ukraine. He will secure the border. He will end the politically weaponized government. He will make America energy independent again. He will pass my bill to stop transgender surgeries on kids and keep men out of women's sports."
The speaker does not have to be a member of the House, which would allow Trump to serve under normal circumstances. But House GOP conference rules might preclude him on other grounds.
"A member of the Republican Leadership shall step aside if indicted for a felony for which a sentence of two or more years imprisonment may be imposed," Rule 26 of the conference rules states.
With Trump facing 91 felony indictments in four criminal cases related to his business and political actions, he would likely fall under the prohibition spelled out there.
Contact Andy Sher at asher@timesfreepress.com or 615-285-9480.