Republicans Explore House Loophole to Block DSA-Backed Democrats After Election
MAGA officials are considering a constitutional loophole to prevent Democratic Socialists of America from being sworn in, potentially stalling a House majority.
POLICY WIRE — Washington, D.C. — As Republicans face potential losses in the upcoming election, some MAGA affiliates are exploring a strategy to prevent certain Democratic winners from taking their seats.
According to reports from Fox News, a procedural loophole could stop candidates associated with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) from being sworn into the House of Representatives, even if they secure a victory on Tuesday. This maneuver could theoretically prevent Democrats from achieving a majority in the chamber.
The strategy centers on the requirement that members-elect must swear an oath to uphold the Constitution before gaining full membership. A growing argument within Republican circles suggests that any member-elect has the standing to challenge the seating of another if they can provide evidence that the individual intends not to honor that oath.
Instead of the standard practice where all 435 members are sworn in together, this approach would trigger House deliberations and a formal vote to determine if a specific member is allowed to serve.
Proponents of this theory target DSA members, arguing that the organization advocates for the creation of a new constitution. This year, DSA-backed candidates defeated several incumbents in Democratic primaries, which could shift the makeup of Congress if these legal challenges are successful.
Texas Rep. Keith Self (R) told Fox News he would be willing to use the tactic. “You cannot swear an oath to support and defend the Constitution while actively working to destroy it. The oath of office is not just words you say at a ceremony. It is a belief. It is an oath to our country and our fellow countrymen,” Self stated.
Self argued that the House has both the power and the obligation to ensure those taking the oath do so in good faith, without mental reservation or purpose of evasion. He noted that as DSA and the ‘Red-Green Alliance’ gain momentum, the Constitution must be enforced.
The ‘Red-Green Alliance’ is a term used by conservatives to describe perceived collaboration between far-left movements and Islamist organizations. Self, who has represented Texas’s third district since 2023, added that anyone who has personally embraced the destruction of the Constitution has no business being sworn in to uphold it.
The viability of this plan depends on several factors. If House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) is elected speaker, he has the authority to dismiss the challenge entirely.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R) could also dismiss the matter if Republicans retain control. Johnson signaled this intent during an event in Iowa earlier this month, calling the refusal to seat elected Democrats a “nonsense narrative” and stating he intends to follow the law.
Democrats require only three seats to flip the House, with current polling suggesting they could win between 12 and 25 seats, which would grant them a majority.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)em>
