Republican Kevin McCarthy's bruising quest to become speaker of the House entered a second day, with the party's new majority fractured by a revolt among hardline members. For the first time in 100 years the House did not elect a speaker on its first day
McCarthy weathered three failed votes for speaker on Tuesday as about 20 hardliners representing less than 10% of the caucus blocked his path to the powerful post that is second in line to the presidency. It was the first time in 100 years that the House has not elected a speaker on its first day.
Trump weighed in early Wednesday, with a post on his social media site Truth Social urging Republicans to back McCarthy.McCarthy said no other Republican was in a position to win a majority of votes and warned against letting chaos rule. The House hardliners blasted that deal and another one cut in late December to keep the government funded, vowing to block legislation backed by any Senate Republicans who voted in favor of the latter bill. That has raised fears about Congress' ability to prevent default when the federal government approaches its debt ceiling later this year.as their candidate, despite the fact that Jordan backs McCarthy and has not put himself forward in the speaker's race.
Tuesday's session, which involved about five hours of failed votes, made Republicans a target of ridicule by Democrats. McCarthy drew only 202 votes on the final ballot, before the House adjourned. The last time the House failed to elect a speaker on the first ballot was 1923. "It's a sad day for the House of Representatives as an institution, sad day for democracy. It's a sad day for the American people," Jeffries told reporters.
"Exasperation is growing among members because they have had a hard time figuring out exactly what the holdouts want," Republican Representative Dusty Johnson told reporters.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Republican leader Kevin McCarthy falls short in first vote for House speakerRepublican leader Kevin McCarthy appeared headed toward a historic defeat in first-round voting Tuesday to become House speaker, sending the new Congress into a tangle as conservative colleagues opposed his leadership.
Read more »
Texans among U.S. House members blocking Republican leader Kevin McCarthy from speakershipThe new Congress opens with House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy grasping for his political survival. McCarthy became the first majority party leader in 100...
Read more »
New Congress to convene, but will McCarthy be House speaker?The new Congress opens with House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy grasping for his political survival
Read more »
New Congress to convene, but will McCarthy be House speaker?The new Congress opens with House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy grasping for his political survival.
Read more »
McCarthy fights to be House speaker as new Congress convenesThe new Congress opens with House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy grasping for his political survival
Read more »