Why the Meadows fight matters

When Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) introduced a resolution calling for Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) to step down, a lot of people were eager to dismiss his actions as those of a lone loon with nothing to lose. When a member of Congress so publicly challenges the leadership of their own party, it’s always a long shot, but it’s important to understand why what Meadows is asking is neither crazy, nor unreasonable. 

Meadows’ list of grievances, if one takes the time to read it, does not read like some fringe manifesto. What Meadows is asking for is what all of Congress should be demanding, a fair and open process with the sort of oversight and accountability that is appropriate for the country’s principal lawmaking body. 

{mosads}For example, Meadows cites the fact that Boehner has failed to respect the rule that provides House members with three days to read and consider legislation before voting. By releasing bills late at night and calling for votes early in the morning, Boehner has circumvented the rule, allowing only 24 hours for consideration. 

Another grievance is the repeated use of manufactured crises to force through bad legislation. Congress knows when the debt ceiling is going to expire. Congress knows when government funding for various projects runs out, often years in advance. By waiting until the last minute to address these issues, the Speaker ensures that the resulting bills are hasty and thoughtless. These artificial time constraints allow him to dismiss any objection from the rank and file members as “obstructionist.” It’s this kind of process that has led to the continued growth of government and the lack of meaningful reforms under Boehner’s speakership. 

There’s nothing wrong with pointing out these failures, and it’s reasonable to expect the Speaker to do his job without resorting to petty attacks on members who disagree with him. If airing these grievances makes Meadows “off the reservation,” as Boehner said in a press conference, then maybe it’s not a reservation I want to be on. 

But there is a more practical function to Meadows’ actions besides a symbolic protest. By pointing out that any member of Congress can move to vacate the Speaker’s chair at any time, requiring a vote on the matter within 48 hours, Meadows has provided a vehicle for the House to stop Boehner if he attempts to pass another trillion dollar spending bill without working with conservatives in Congress. 

In a few months, Congress will need to address the debt ceiling and a new continuing resolution to keep the government’s lights on. We all remember last year’s Cromnibus, the gargantuan, secretive funding bill crafted by Boehner and his allies behind closed doors. If Boehner attempts a similar move this year, he knows that there is a mechanism in place to end his speakership. If he goes too far, there is a real chance that angry members hold an impromptu vote to vacate the Speaker’s chair. This would put Boehner in the awkward position of having to seek Democratic support, which would be a profound embarrassment for him. What Meadows has done is draw a line in the sand to rein in the Speaker’s attempts to go around the conservative wing of his party when these spending priorities come up later in the year. 

It’s true that Boehner isn’t going to be knocked out as Speaker right now, but that doesn’t make Meadows’ effort useless or futile. Other congressmen have already signed onto his resolution, and more have said publicly that they would likely vote against the Speaker if it came to that. Remember that 25 Republicans voted against Boehner back in January. Only a couple more need to defect for him to be in real trouble. In the end, Meadows’ bravery will give conservatives leverage in this year’s budget fights.

Brandon is president and CEO of FreedomWorks.