House Democrats erupt into infighting over leadership power play

House Democratic leaders are trying to flex some muscle this week after two members defected on a key procedural vote.

It's stoking fury among members across the political spectrum.

Why it matters: The blowup offers a preview of the chaos that party leaders could face in January if they take back the House majority.

Meanwhile, an effort to give House Democratic leaders more tools to keep their members in line next year is falling flat among rank-and-file members.

"It'll be dead by next week," predicted one senior House Democrat, speaking to Axios on the condition of anonymity to comment candidly on the maneuver.

Driving the news: Reps.

Jared Golden (D-Maine) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) touched off a flurry of anger from fellow Democrats on Tuesday by helping Republicans pass a procedural measure known as a "rule." The measure allowed for House votes on a slew of measures, including a GOP resolution denouncing socialism and a bipartisan bill co-led by Golden to shield lobstermen from regulations protecting whales.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and his deputies were upset that Golden and Gluesenkamp Perez defected without a heads-up.

They put out a rare joint statement accusing the two centrists of a "significant breach of trust" that "necessitates a serious response." Several proposed responses have been floated behind the scenes, lawmakers and aides told Axios.

Some members have suggested kicking both members off of their committees, or at least removing Gluesenkamp Perez from the powerful House Appropriations Committee.

Others have pitched a broader change to caucus rules requiring members to show up to key votes, stick with party leadership on rule votes and pay their dues to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Under this proposal, members who fail to adhere to those standards would not be members of the caucus in "good standing," which could in turn lead to them losing out on prime committee appointments.

Yes, but: Several senior Congressional Progressive Caucus members told Axios they would strongly oppose such a rules change.

Rep.