Gun-Bill Consensus Evades House GOP

Under pressure from all sides, House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) on Thursday abandoned his efforts to forge a common GOP position on gun legislation and said he would leave it up to the House to “work its will” on the politically volatile subject when it comes up for a vote next week.

Hastert has been trying hard to reassert his leadership over the fractious GOP caucus. He said Thursday that the party was so divided on the wisdom of further gun controls that his leadership team would not take an official position.

“Everybody has their points of view on this and I think they will be able to work their will in the House,” said Hastert, who personally favors background checks at gun shows and other proposals to keep weapons from children.

Hastert’s announcement amounted to a reversion to a more relaxed leadership style that came under criticism when the House reached impasses over spending policy and the Kosovo conflict. Only three days ago, Hastert had warned GOP colleagues that they needed to rally together behind a common agenda or risk losing control of the House next year.