This Wednesday the House of Representatives reconvened in hopes of finally electing its next speaker. However, six rounds of voting have taken place and no progress has been made. In fact, the representatives again postponed the decision.
California Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy expected to be elected without major complications, especially since Donald Trump has not only shown that he supports him, but even asked the party's hardliners to stop blocking the candidate.
"Some really good conversations took place last night, and now it's time for all of our great Republican House members to vote for Kevin... Republicans, do not turn a great triumph into a giant & embarrassing defeat," the former president said. However, it has become clear that McCarthy's path is not easy, even with the former president on his side.
Six votes have already come and gone, but the results are getting worse and worse for McCarthy. During the first and second rounds, he only obtained 203 votes out of the 218 needed. In the third round, he lost one vote, and this Wednesday, in the fourth, fifth and sixth rounds, he only obtained 201 votes in his favor.
SIXTH BALLOT HOUSE SPEAKER RESULTS:
212: Hakeem Jeffries (D)
201: Kevin McCarthy (R)
20: Byron Donalds (R)
1: PresentOnto round 7. No changes from the last round of voting.
— The Recount (@therecount) January 4, 2023
Vote postponed once again
After a long voting session, the representatives took a break thinking they would return in the evening to make a decision. However, the representatives returned only to adjourn and announce that they will return Thursday at noon.
In the meantime, without a speaker in the House of Representatives, no progress can be made on the swearing in of its members, the proceedings on the floor, or the investigation into the Biden administration.
Republicans are discussing the possibility of postponing the election until Thursday but may not get the votes to further delay the decision. In addition, without a speaker, the House of Representatives cannot move forward with the swearing in of its members, the proceedings on the floor or the investigation into the Biden administration.
In fact, if the new set of House rules have not been approved by January 13, committees will not be able to pay staff or process student loan repayments, as reported by Politico.
While some Republicans believe that the best option is to join in support of McCarthy, others have even asked the candidate to withdraw in order to give the opportunity to another representative who can get the necessary number of votes.
Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) takes a swipe at Donald Trump while nominating Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) for House Speaker:
“The president needs to tell Kevin McCarthy that, ‘Sir, you do not have the votes, and it’s time to withdraw.’” pic.twitter.com/EWzojWoFYh
— The Recount (@therecount) January 4, 2023
If not McCarthy, then who?
On Tuesday, Republican Jim Jordan was considered as an option for Speaker. The Freedom Caucus rebels voted for him despite the fact that he was not even nominated, but the votes were minimal compared to those garnered by McCarthy.
THIRD BALLOT HOUSE SPEAKER RESULTS:
212: Hakeem Jeffries (D)
202: Kevin McCarthy (R)
20: Jim Jordan (R)Onto round 4. Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) is the only vote that flipped, from McCarthy to Jordan.
— The Recount (@therecount) January 3, 2023
Jordan himself has made it clear that his support is for McCarthy and even asked his colleagues to vote for his party colleague.
In three votes that have taken place this Wednesday so far, 20 votes went to Byron Donald, the Florida lawmaker who also pledged to back the California Republican, but only for the first two rounds.
FIFTH BALLOT HOUSE SPEAKER RESULTS:
212: Hakeem Jeffries (D)
201: Kevin McCarthy (R)
20: Byron Donalds (R)
1: PresentOnto round 6. No changes from the last round of voting.
— The Recount (@therecount) January 4, 2023
