McCarthy Fails to Become Speaker on Second Day of Voting
After three failed votes to elect a speaker on Tuesday, the US House of Representatives resumed on Wednesday three additional rounds that didn't yield victory for Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).
Facts
- After three failed votes to elect a speaker on Tuesday, the US House of Representatives resumed on Wednesday three additional rounds that didn't yield victory for Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).
- McCarthy needs 218 votes to become House Speaker. Republicans hold a slim House majority with 222 members, and defectors from the GOP’s conservative wing have denied McCarthy the speakership as all 212 Democrats voted for Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.).
- House Republican members are reportedly considering four-member negotiating teams to work towards a path forward following the sixth failed vote.
- McCarthy offered concessions to conservative skeptics in his caucus including lowering the necessary threshold to force a vote to remove the speaker. However, the offer has not been enough to ultimately persuade the members.
- Former Pres. Trump, who is revered by most conservative anti-McCarthy Republicans, urged House GOP members to unite behind McCarthy and "close the deal, take the victory” in all capital letters. Meanwhile, Pres. Biden called the schism on the right “embarrassing.”
- This is the first time a speaker hasn’t been elected on the first ballot since 1923. Without a speaker, representatives cannot be sworn in and the House Rules package cannot be passed; if the package isn’t passed by Jan. 13, staff members cannot be paid.
Sources: NBC, Daily Caller, CNN, Improve the News, and Associated Press.
Narratives
- Conservative narrative, as provided by Daily Caller. While the GOP establishment wants members to just get in line for Kevin McCarthy, principled conservatives must take the lead and not allow McCarthy to become Speaker of the House. He has no conviction and will do whatever his wealthy donors ask of him. A Republican majority isn’t a victory if no meaningful change comes along with it, and McCarthy is the status quo politician.
- Republican narrative, as provided by Fox News. Enough is enough. All Republicans must now unite behind Kevin McCarthy and allow the newly-elected GOP majority to start governing instead of grandstanding. Some congressional Republicans are playing with fire and should learn to compromise for the better of the nation.