McCarthy’s bid for speaker to continue, Trump urges support
McCarthy’s bid for speaker to continue, Trump urges support
By LISA MASCARO, FARNOUSH AMIRI and KEVIN FREKING19 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans plan to open the second day of the new Congress much like the first — with leader Kevin McCarthy trying to become House speaker despite losing in multiple rounds of voting that threw the new GOP majority into chaos.
It was the first time in 100 years that a nominee for House speaker could not take the gavel on the first vote, but McCarthy appeared undeterred. Instead, he vowed to fight to the finish, encouraged, he said, by former President Donald Trump to end the disarray and pull the Republican Party together.
Early Wednesday, Trump publicly urged Republicans to vote for McCarthy: “CLOSE THE DEAL, TAKE THE VICTORY,” he wrote on his social media site. He added: “REPUBLICANS, DO NOT TURN A GREAT TRIUMPH INTO A GIANT & EMBARRASSING DEFEAT.”


The House will try again on Wednesday after Tuesday’s stalemate essentially forced all other business to a standstill, waiting on Republicans to elect a speaker.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Today, is that the day I wanted to have? No,” McCarthy told reporters late Tuesday at the Capitol after a series of closed-door meetings. Asked if he would drop out, McCarthy said, “It’s not going to happen.”
President Joe Biden, departing the White House for a bipartisan event in Kentucky with Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell, said “the rest of the world is looking” at the chaotic scenes on the House floor.
“I just think it’s really embarrassing it’s taking so long,” Biden said. He declined to say whether he had any choice for the speaker job, adding “I have no idea” who will prevail.
The tumultuous start to the new Congress pointed to difficulties ahead with Republicans now in control of the House.
Tensions flared among the new House majority as their campaign promises stalled out. Without a speaker, the House cannot fully form — swearing in its members, naming its committee chairmen, engaging in floor proceedings and launching investigations of the Biden administration. Lawmakers’ families had waited around, as what’s normally a festive day descended into chaos, with kids playing in the aisles or squirming in parents’ arms.
But it was not at all clear how the embattled GOP leader could rebound to win over right-flank conservatives who reject his leadership. It typically takes a majority of the House to become speaker, 218 votes — though the threshold can drop if members are absent or merely vote present, an strategy McCarthy appeared to be considering.
McCarthy won no more than 203 votes in three rounds of voting, losing as many as 20 Republicans from his slim 222-seat majority,
ADVERTISEMENT
Not since 1923 has a speaker’s election gone to multiple ballots, and the longest and most grueling fight for the gavel started in late 1855 and dragged out for two months, with 133 ballots, during debates over slavery in the run-up to the Civil War.
“Kevin McCarthy is not going to be a speaker,” declared Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., one of the holdouts.
A new generation of conservative Republicans, many aligned with Trump’s Make America Great Again agenda, want to upend business as usual in Washington, and were committed to stopping McCarthy’s rise without concessions to their priorities.
ADVERTISEMENT
In many ways, the challenge from the far-right was reminiscent of the last time Republicans seized power in the House, when tea party Republicans brought hardball politics and shutdown government after winning control in the 2010 midterm elections.
As the spectacle of voting dragged on, McCarthy’s backers implored the holdouts to fall in line for the California Republican.
“We all came here to get things done,” the second-ranking Republican, Rep. Steve Scalise, said in a speech nominating McCarthy for the vote and urging his colleagues to drop their protest.
Railing against Democratic President Joe Biden’s agenda, Scalise, himself a possible GOP compromise choice, said, “We can’t start fixing those problems until we elect Kevin McCarthy our next speaker.”
POLITICS
Biden heads to Kentucky to highlight cash for aging bridgeMcConnell celebrates milestone as Senate Dems retain powerMurray becomes first female president pro tempore in SenateFDA finalizes rule expanding availability of abortion pills
But the holdouts forced a third and final round of voting before Republican leaders quickly adjourned Tuesday evening.
“The American people are watching, and it’s a good thing,” said Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, who nominated fellow conservative Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio as an alternative for speaker.
ADVERTISEMENT
Jordan, the McCarthy rival-turned-ally, was twice pushed forward by conservatives, but he does not seem to want the job. The Ohio Republican is line to become Judiciary Committee chairman, and he rose during the floor debate to urge his colleagues to instead vote for McCarthy.
“We have to rally around him, come together,” Jordan said.
In all, a core group of 19 Republicans — and then 20 — voted for someone other than McCarthy. The first ballot sent votes to Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona, Jordan and others, while Jordan alone won the votes on the next two ballots.
The standoff over McCarthy has been building since Republicans won the House majority in the midterm elections. While the Senate remains in Democratic hands, barely, House Republicans are eager to confront Biden after two years of the Democrats controlling both houses of Congress. The conservative Freedom Caucus led the opposition to McCarthy, believing he’s neither conservative enough nor tough enough to battle Democrats.
ADVERTISEMENT
To win support, McCarthy has already agreed to many of the demands of the Freedom Caucus, who have been agitating for rules changes and other concessions that give rank-and=file more influence in the legislative process. He has been here before, having bowed out of the speakers race in 2015 when he failed to win over conservatives.
Late Tuesday, pizza, Chick-fil-A and tacos were carried into various meeting rooms at the Capitol after the failed votes as McCarthy supporters and detractors hunkered down to figure out how to elect a speaker.
“Everything’s on the table,” said McCarthy ally Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C. — except, he said, having the leader step aside. “Not at all. That is not on the table.”
Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., the chairman of the Freedom Caucus and a leader of Trump’s effort to challenge the 2020 presidential election had said earlier it was up to McCarthy to meet their demands and change the dynamic.
Democrats enthusiastically nominated Jeffries, who is taking over as party leader, as their choice for speaker. He won the most votes overall, 212.
If McCarthy could win 213 votes, and then persuade the remaining naysayers to simply vote present, he would be able to lower the threshold required under the rules to have the majority.
It’s a strategy former House speakers, including outgoing Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Republican Speaker John Boehner had used when they confronted opposition, winning the gavel with fewer than 218 votes.
Said McCarthy late Tuesday at the Capitol: “You get 213 votes, and the others don’t say another name, that’s how you can win.”
ADVERTISEMENT
You May Like
Greta Thunberg Drives This Car At The Age Of 19Promoted: investing.com
Unsold E-Bikes Almost Being Given AwayPromoted: Discount E-Bikes | Search Ads
The Volkswagen Bus Is Back With A VengancePromoted: The New VW Bus
At Almost 101, He is the Oldest Living StarPromoted: I Am Famous
ADVERTISEMENT
PAID FOR BY ARIZONA GAME AND FISH
From Sheep to Owls and More: The Wildlife Conservation Efforts in Arizona
Only one state agency is on the ground, every day, conserving and protecting Arizona’s 800+ species of wildlife.

Ad Content
NetSuite – One Unified, Cloud Business SuiteOracle NetSuite
This is the most powerful flashlight in the worldLuoccia
Still Chopping Wood with an Axe ? – Now 70% Off!Hot Sale 70% OFF
Top Scientists: If Anyone Has Tinnitus (Ear Ringing) Do This ImmediatelyTINNITUS
This New CPAP Can Do What…The Easy Blog by EasyBreathe.com
This Is National Geographic’s Most Famous PhotoHistory Daily
Ad Content
NetSuite’s Business Guide: 4 Skills CFOs Need NowPromoted: Oracle NetSuite
Amazon Left Scrambling As Prime Users Find Out About Secret DealsPromoted: Online Shopping Tools
Effortlessly Lifts the Mattress and Leaving Both Hands Free to Make the Bed!Promoted: Hot Sale 70% OFF
Democrat voted Pennsylvania speaker, foiling GOP hopesHARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A Democrat who promised to govern as an independent was elected speaker of the narrowly divided Pennsylvania House of Representatives in a surprising move Tuesday on the strength of every Democrat and more than a dozen GOP votes.today
Ad Content
When You Eat Instant Oatmeal Every Day, This is What HappensTotal Restore
Can Dental Implants Be Paid For By Medicare? (See How)StuffAnswered
Prime is now $179, But Few Know This Savings Hack (New For 2023)Online Shopping Tools
This endoscope allows you to discover a different worldNew Product
Killer New Volkswagen EVs Will Leave You BreathlessNew VWs | search ads
Handles can be easily moved with unlock-feature.SXPANRI
Ad Content
7 Steps To Recession-Proof Your BusinessPromoted: Oracle NetSuite
If You See This Bug You Have A Big ProblemPromoted: Bedtimez
The Pilot Cried When He Realized Why The Birds Were Flying Next To The PlanePromoted: VibrantWorld
EXPLAINER: What to expect on Day 2 of House speaker electionWASHINGTON (AP) — What was expected to be a day of triumph for House Republicans coming into the majority turned into chaostoday
AP NEWS
- Top Stories
- Video
- Contact Us
- Accessibility Statement
- Cookie Settings
DOWNLOAD AP NEWS
Connect with the definitive source for global and local news

MORE FROM AP
FOLLOW AP
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
All contents © copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.