Rep. Gregory Meeks, ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said Wednesday he doesn’t believe the House can advance a bipartisan resolution expressing support for Israel until a permanent speaker is elected.

“Based upon my understanding of the rules, a speaker pro tem does not have that authority,” Meeks (D-N.Y.) said of the resolution that has about 400 co-sponsors. “That can only happen once we have someone in who is the speaker.”

Meeks, echoing the words of Chair Michael McCaul (R-Texas), said he hoped the resolution would be considered as one of the first actions by the House once it does pick a speaker.

Backdrop: McCaul and Meeks announced their resolution on Tuesday in the aftermath of the weekend’s attacks in Israel. McCaul has said he thinks action should come whether or not the chamber has a permanent speaker in place.

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