U.S. House adjourns without electing the speaker as Kevin McCarthy fails in marathon votes.
McCarthy Failed –
The U.S House of Representatives was plunged into chaos on Tuesday (3 Jan) after Republican leader Kevin McCarthy failed in three consecutives votes to secure enough support to be elected as the speaker. The deadlocked house was then adjourned for the day.
The failed votes marked the first time in hundred years that the majority party in the house has not elected a speaker on its first vote needing 218 votes. In the full house McCarthy got just 203 votes in two rounds less than democrats Hakeem Jeffries in the GOP controlled chamber. 19 of his own party leaders voted against him, a third balance was even worse with McCarthy losing 20 votes while night fell.
Tensions rose as all other business came to a halt. The California Congressman needed a simple majority to be elected as Washington’s top legislator who presides over house business and is second in line to the Presidency. During each of the three voice votes every democrat on the floor rallied unanimously around incoming minority leader Hakeem Jeffries. But a sector of conservative Republicans split from their party to bank other candidates including longtime McCarthy ally and republican Jim Jordan.
Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz said, “We do not want to be here at this moment. We would prefer to have a unity of purpose, but we will not continue to allow the uniparty to run this town without a fight.” Further he added that there is very little difference between Nancy Pelosi and her California delegation mate that seeks to gavel.
Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said that for the first time the House of Representatives failed to organize an opening day in hundred years. He remarks that it is a sad day for the House of Representatives, sad day for democracy and it’s a sad day for American people. In addition, the house democrats are unified ready willing and able to get to work. Jeffries said, “On behalf of everyday Americans, we are prepared to try to find common ground with the other side of the aisle to solve problems on behalf of the American people. But we don’t have a willing partner in House of Republicans.”
Jordan who nominated and voted for McCarthy won 20 votes in the third round. Jeffries the incoming leader 212 votes in each of the three rounds. It is not clear whether McCarthy who has the support of a wide majority of his caucus without the support to overcome the Hardline opposition and win the speakers position. The House agreed to return on Wednesday (4 Jan).
Steve Scalise and Elise Stefanik are the second and third-ranking republicans in the US House of Representatives. The Louisiana Congressman, Steve Scalise has been McCarthy’s deputy since 2019. Elise Stefanik was the youngest women elected to the house of congress in 2014, aged 30. She also nominated McCarthy for speaker in the first round of voting.
