Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.), in a letter sent to his colleagues Monday, said he would oppose procedural votes to debate legislation if it does not meet the “Hastert Rule” — a principle that all bills should be supported by the majority of Republican, espoused by former Speaker Dennis Hastert.

If it seems like inside-the-Beltway legislative wonkery, it’s not. Voting against the rule, as it’s called, is a loud statement that members disagree with leadership’s priorities. And since Democrats almost always oppose the rule — the measure that sets parameters for floor debate — GOP leadership has to have 218 Republicans on board to get it passed. If a rule fails, the House cannot debate the underlying bill, and the legislative process is ground to a halt. …

He continued, “Right now, House Republicans are united against President Obama’s scare tactics on sequestration, the debt limit, and taxes. We can continue this trend only if we honor the Hastert Rule and bring bills to the floor that enjoy majority support within our own conference.”