Dave Joyce considers giving McHenry temporary power in move with chilling history

One Republican representative is looking into giving Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry (R-NC) more power for a brief period to complete important House business before the GOP conference carries out what promises to be a long and difficult speaker fight.

Centrist Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) has been fielding an idea to provide McHenry with full speaker powers for a limited period, with examples of one to three months, per several reports. The Ohio Republican said he discussed such a plan with the House parliamentarian.

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The idea comes as the House runs out of time to address a series of appropriations measures after barely averting a government shutdown last month. Additionally, the House is being pressured to address needed aid for Israel after the recent terrorist attack by Hamas.

However, the plan has drawn callbacks to Roman history and Star Wars, and not for the best reason. The Roman Republic would authorize greater powers for leaders, with the caveat of an expiration date, in times of emergency, as Politico notes. This power was wielded by Julius Caesar to turn Rome into an empire. Additionally, similar expansive powers were used by Emperor Sheev Palpatine in the Star Wars movies to retain control.

At least one Republican has already slammed the prospect.

“This would be a terrible idea that McHenry himself rejected,” Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

McHenry’s office did not provide a comment to the Washington Examiner.

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The Republican initially dismissed ideas that he may run for speaker, but after the House Republican Conference’s nominee, Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), dropped out of the race on Thursday, McHenry wasn’t as quick to dismiss the possibility, telling reporters, “It’s up to the will of the conference.”

On expanded powers of his current position, he said, “I think the best thing for the institution right now is for us to have a speaker-designee who goes through a formal election on the floor.”