Managing Political Polarization in Congress: A Case Study on the Use of the Hastert Rule

The rise of the Tea Party and the ideological divisions within the Republican Party created challenging conditions for Speaker Boehner. The strategic use of the “go-it-alone” Hastert Rule allowed Speaker Boehner to successfully navigate a treacherous political path of managing his divergent caucus, preserving his leadership position, and passing selective legislation when necessary even when the majority of his caucus did not support it. This manufactured procedural tool served substantive and political purposes. The routine use of the Hastert Rule strengthened the hand of the Tea Party members to influence legislation. At the same time, selectively ignoring the Hastert Rule allowed Speaker Boehner to relieve some of the political pressure that the Tea Party members exerted in an effort to preserve the future electoral viability of his party. The Hastert Rule, an informal but accepted practice in the House of Representatives, created the latitude for Speaker Boehner to maneuver through this difficult period. It is an example of the remarkable ability of Congress to adapt and address internal challenges and threats.