The infighting in the Republican camp has stalled the coronation of Kevin McCarthy as the speaker of the House of Representatives. McCarthy on Tuesday became the only political leader in over a century – the first since the Civil War to lose the opening round of voting to become the House speaker.
After far-right Republican colleagues pulled their vote, the House will head to a second ballot. McCarthy needed to win 218 votes of the full House to become the speaker and replace former Democrat leader Nancy Pelosi.
However, with Republicans gaining a razor-thin 222-212 majority in the House after the November midterm elections, the refusal of the Republican leaders to vote for McCarthy has caused the logjam. The situation is unlikely to resolve unless Democrats vote for him which appears to be a foregone conclusion.
After the first round of voting, McCarthy only had 203 votes while Democrat Hakim Jeffries amassed 212 votes. Meanwhile, Andy Biggs managed to secure 10 votes and nine lawmakers did not support any of the three candidates.
The likes of Andy Biggs, Paul Gosar and Matt Gaetz have been the loud voices objecting to McCarthy’s endorsement as the Republican nominee since November.
“It’s true we struggle with trust with Mr. McCarthy because time and again his viewpoints, his positions, they shift like sands underneath you. If you want to drain the swamp, you cannot put the biggest alligator in charge of the exercise,” Gaetz had remarked ahead of the voting.
The party’s conservative wing has made it clear that it will not vote for McCarthy and that the second ballot will show support for the ‘true’ leader.
“I think you’ll see on the second ballot an increasing number of members vote for a true candidate who can represent the conservative center of the conference, can motivate the base,” Rep. Bob Good of Virginia, one of McCarthy’s fiercest rivals was quoted as saying by Fox.
McCarthy had previously stood for the position in 2015 but had to withdraw following some confusion. He became House minority leader after the 2018 midterms after Republicans lost control of the House.
(With inputs from agencies)
