After speaker fight, will McCarthy’s House be more democratic?

Some House Republicans contend that a weak speaker is a good thing – giving members more say on legislation. But there’s a fine line between a more democratic process and dysfunction.

GOP Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California became Speaker of the House last week, in large part by agreeing to new rules that will give more power to the rank and file, while weakening his own position. 

The wrangling, which put internal GOP divisions on full display, contrasts starkly with the tight ship run by former Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi. For...