Tick-Tock House Adjourns for a Few Hours after McCarthy loses the 6th Speaker Vote

Daniel ChaitinJanuary 4, 2023

House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), was defeated six times in a matter of days as the GOP revolt against his speaker bid grows.

The lower chamber is now closed until 8 p.m. Members-elect have less than four hours left to negotiate for a candidate that can secure a majority in the legislature. McCarthy has not resigned as of press time despite growing opposition from his GOP conference.

Votes will continue until a speaker has been elected. House members cannot be sworn into office until a speaker has been chosen. This would impede any legislative business or committee assignments in the 118th Congress. The threshold for a nominee to win the speaker’s gavel is 218 votes, but that number decreases if members vote “present,” Vote no or you are absent

Over two days of speaker vote voting, Democrats voted to support Rep. Hakeem Jefries (D.NY) with 221 votes. McCarthy earned only 203 votes despite Republicans having the majority.

In fact, McCarthy’s numbers have decreased slightly — to 201 — as more votes were held. Twenty Republican defectors have rallied behind Rep. Byron Donalds, R-FL, who is beginning his second term as Congressman. After two ballots, Donalds stopped voting for McCarthy. Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) began voting on Tuesday. “present” On Wednesday

“We have a constitutional duty to elect the Speaker of the House, but we have to deliberate further as a Republican conference until we have enough votes and stop wasting everyone’s time,” Spartz said in a statement Wednesday. “None of the Republican candidates have this number yet. That’s why I voted present after all votes were cast.”

McCarthy needed a boost from Donald Trump before Wednesday’s election. “It’s now time for all of our GREAT Republican House Members to VOTE FOR KEVIN, CLOSE THE DEAL, TAKE THE VICTORY,” Trump said in a Truth Social post.

Rep. Lauren Boebert (R.CO), who nominated Donalds on Wednesday’s second ballot, urged Trump not to endorse McCarthy.

“The president needs to tell Kevin McCarthy that, ‘Sir, you do not have the votes and it’s time to withdraw,’” Boebert said.

.@RepBoebert Donald Trump “The president needs to tell Kevin McCarthy that, ‘sir you do not have the votes and it’s time to withdraw.'” #118thCongress pic.twitter.com/k60eBI62To

— CSPAN (@cspan) January 4, 2023

After three votes on Tuesday Trump called House Republicans should rally behind their man. Trump mentioned Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California (D), who, after decades leading House Democrats, decided to stand down for the new term in order to let Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-NY, take her place.

“It’s now time for all of our GREAT Republican House Members to VOTE FOR KEVIN, CLOSE THE DEAL, TAKE THE VICTORY,” Trump posted to Truth Social. “REPUBLICANS, DO NOT TURN A GREAT TRIUMPH INTO A GIANT & EMBARRASSING DEFEAT. IT’S TIME TO CELEBRATE, YOU DESERVE IT. Kevin McCarthy will do a good job, and maybe even a GREAT JOB – JUST WATCH!”

Happening Now: U.S. House Speaker Election (5th Vote) – LIVE on C-SPAN https://t.co/cxuSTJEGR6 #118thCongress

— CSPAN (@cspan) January 4, 2023

The other Republican holdouts include Andy Biggs, Dan Bishop(NC), Josh Brecheen(OK), Mike Cloud [TX], Andrew Clyde (“GA”), Eli Crane (“AZ”), Matt Gaetz (FL), Bob Good “VA”) Paul Gosar® (AZ), Andy Harris (“MD”) Anna Paulina Luna („FL”) Mary Miller (IL), Ralph Norman – SC), Andy Ogles TN), Scott Perry (PA), Matt Rosendale MT), Chip Roy® (TX), Keith Self (TX).

According to media reports, there are many reasons why they have withheld support for McCarthy. These include unsatisfied demands for rule changes or personal gains. Some Republicans oppose McCarthy, no matter what.

With McCarthy’s quest to replace Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) as speaker in doubt, Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) told CNN on Wednesday that McCarthy “needs to make a deal … or he needs to step aside.”

As McCarthy’s fifth bid for speaker fails in The House, GOP @RepKenBuck CNN is told that he had spoken to the troubled GOP congressman and said that he “needs to make a deal… or he needs to step aside.” I pressed Buck on whether he sees a viable path for another possible candidate: Rep. Steve Scalise. pic.twitter.com/z7nAuufSjB

— Dana Bash (@DanaBashCNN) January 4, 2023

Another CNN interview with Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), stated that “preliminary” For a reopening of the talks with Democrats, they have already begun “consensus candidate,” according to The Hill.

Others names have been suggested as possible candidates. Louisiana’s Steve Scalise, the No. 2 House Republican Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC)You can even get it! newly-retired Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI)A speaker does not need to be elected. Before settling on Donalds the GOP defectors gathered around Rep. Jim Jordan, R-OH, who so far voted for McCarthy.