In the midst of a leadership crisis in the House of Representatives, Republican lawmakers are considering a plan to let temporary House Speaker Patrick McHenry remain in his post. With consensus proving to be elusive, reports indicate that some Republicans have thrown their support behind McHenry. As the Speaker pro tempore, McHenry, a bow-tied and bespectacled career politician from North Carolina, has been holding the post since former Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted. However, the details of this plan remain highly uncertain.

Although McHenry's actions with the Speaker's gavel have been limited, one moment did capture the attention of the public. Immediately after McCarthy's removal, McHenry slammed the gavel down with great force, creating a viral moment. Since then, his role has primarily consisted of perfunctorily opening and closing House proceedings, while the Republican delegation faces difficulties in uniting behind a new House leader.

Turning 48 on Sunday, McHenry was the youngest member of the House when he was first elected in 2004. Prior to his Congressional career, McHenry served in the North Carolina state legislature, worked for George W. Bush's presidential campaign, and ran an anti-Hillary Clinton website. Hailing from a heavily Republican district, he gained a reputation for being a staunch conservative, unafraid of challenging party leadership. Eventually, he rose to become the chair of the House Financial Services Committee. His interest in finance stems from his childhood, influenced by his father's struggles to raise capital for a small business.

Notably, McHenry is an ally of McCarthy, which may complicate efforts to keep him in the Speaker's chair. In January, when McCarthy was selected after 15 rounds of voting, he designated McHenry as his temporary replacement in the event of incapacitation or removal from his post. The post-9/11 rules require new Speakers to provide a secret list of chosen successors to ensure government continuity in times of disaster or attack. However, McHenry's role went beyond that of a designated survivor. He played a crucial role in negotiating the debt limit compromise deal with Democrats, which ultimately led to McCarthy's removal.

Some Republicans have advocated for expanding McHenry's powers, but the specifics of how he would use these powers remain uncertain. Moreover, the plan does not currently have enough support, and even McHenry himself has publicly voiced opposition to it. Republican consultant Brendan Buck proposed an alternative solution in an op-ed for the New York Times. Buck suggested that McHenry should assume the role of the permanent House Speaker and see if other members try to stop him. Buck described McHenry as a serious person, widely respected for his honesty and intellect.

If McHenry were to adopt this bolder approach, it would be up to House members to object or propose an alternative plan. Representative Mike Lawler of New York, who previously credited McHenry with saving his choking daughter, may be among those who welcome such a move. Amidst the turmoil, the House of Representatives finds itself in, McHenry's presence and his signature bow ties are likely to become much more prominent. With Republican efforts to elect a new Speaker stalling, the House has remained largely idle on congressional work for the past two weeks.