House speaker race drags on after McCarthy loses again in sixth ballot

The House on Wednesday failed in three more ballots to elect House Speaker as Republican leader Kevin McCarthy. continually lacking The majority he needs.

Amid the deadlock, the House voted at approximately 4:30 PM ET to adjourn until 8:00 PM ET.

Little changed on Wednesday — except for McCarthy losing another vote, Republicans switched from backing him to “now.” If some of the 19 injunction votes were “present” he could win, but he didn’t want to lose the vote.

The Democrats kept their unity behind Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, who remained strong with all 212 Democratic votes in all six ballots.

Republicans on Wednesday voted for McCarthy and nominated Rep. Byron Donald of Florida to replace Rep. Jim Jordan, who said he wasn’t seeking the presidency. With the Democratic Party’s nomination of Hakeem Jeffries, it became the first time in history that two black men were nominated Speaker of the House.

Donalds told reporters he “doesn’t think he’s at that point” that McCarthy will step down, but said Republicans are continuing negotiations and expect to meet with McCarthy later Wednesday.

In its nominating speech, Republicans urged party members to unite and support McCarthy. Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher (Indiana) was the first to stand up, saying he was “proud” to be part of the debate-inviting party, acknowledging complaints from factions at the Republican convention.

Former President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social Wednesday morning trying to turn rebel Republicans against McCarthy.Former Vice President Mike Pence also tweeted his support for McCarthy.

This is the first time in almost 100 years that it took more than one vote to vote for a new chairman, but the delay is not unprecedented. In 1855, House took him four months to choose a new speaker.

The House cannot do any business until a new Speaker is elected by a majority of the members. “There is no House of Representatives as we know it. There are currently no sworn-in representatives,” CBS News Senior White House and Political Correspondent Ed O’Keeffe said Tuesday on CBS News’ streaming channel 3. said following two unsuccessful votes.

The Speaker of the House is the second candidate in the US presidential election.