SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) talks to reporters as he leaves the House Chamber during the third day of elections for speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol Building on January 5, 2023.
(Photo: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
US House Adjourns—Again—After 11 Failed Votes to Select a Speaker
"If you think House Republicans' chaos will end with electing a speaker, you aren't paying attention," said Rep. Pramila Jayapal. "This is who they are. Chaotic, selfish, and incapable of leadership."
Jan 05, 2023
For the first time since before the U.S. Civil War, the House of Representatives on Thursday surpassed 10 rounds of voting for speaker and the narrow GOP majority still failed to rally behind one candidate, ultimately voting to adjourn until Friday afternoon.
Since Tuesday, over 11 rounds, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has seen his numbers drop from a high of 203 to 200 in the latest round, with 12 Republicans backing Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), seven supporting Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.), one pushing for former President Donald Trump, and one voting present.
During every round of voting this week, all 212 Democrats have maintained their support for Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.).
The last time lawmakers needed multiple rounds of voting to choose a speaker was a century ago, when it took nine attempts. Before that, they held 44 votes in 1859 and a historic 133 votes in 1855—a process that spanned nearly two months.
While both allies and opponents of McCarthy signaled to reporters on Capitol Hill Thursday that negotiations for a potential deal to get him into the post are ongoing, it's not clear enough of the 20 far-right members who have blocked his path to speaker have or even can be swayed.
Democrats have pointed to the drama of the past three days—on the eve of the second anniversary of Trump supporters' deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol—as proof that the GOP control of the House over the next two years will be marred by dysfunction.
"If you think House Republicans' chaos will end with electing a speaker, you aren't paying attention," Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) said Thursday night. "This is who they are. Chaotic, selfish, and incapable of leadership."
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. US voters have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. If you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
For the first time since before the U.S. Civil War, the House of Representatives on Thursday surpassed 10 rounds of voting for speaker and the narrow GOP majority still failed to rally behind one candidate, ultimately voting to adjourn until Friday afternoon.
Since Tuesday, over 11 rounds, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has seen his numbers drop from a high of 203 to 200 in the latest round, with 12 Republicans backing Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), seven supporting Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.), one pushing for former President Donald Trump, and one voting present.
During every round of voting this week, all 212 Democrats have maintained their support for Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.).
The last time lawmakers needed multiple rounds of voting to choose a speaker was a century ago, when it took nine attempts. Before that, they held 44 votes in 1859 and a historic 133 votes in 1855—a process that spanned nearly two months.
While both allies and opponents of McCarthy signaled to reporters on Capitol Hill Thursday that negotiations for a potential deal to get him into the post are ongoing, it's not clear enough of the 20 far-right members who have blocked his path to speaker have or even can be swayed.
Democrats have pointed to the drama of the past three days—on the eve of the second anniversary of Trump supporters' deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol—as proof that the GOP control of the House over the next two years will be marred by dysfunction.
"If you think House Republicans' chaos will end with electing a speaker, you aren't paying attention," Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) said Thursday night. "This is who they are. Chaotic, selfish, and incapable of leadership."
From Your Site Articles
- 'Co-Conspirators in Sedition': Here Are the Names of Every Republican Who Voted to Overturn Election Results ›
- As GOP Takes Over House, Officials Remove Metal Detectors Installed After Jan. 6 ›
- 'This Must Be Stopped': House Republicans Plan to Gut Ethics Office ›
- House GOP 'Insurrection Protection Committee Is a Sham,' Says Pressley ›
Related Articles Around the Web
For the first time since before the U.S. Civil War, the House of Representatives on Thursday surpassed 10 rounds of voting for speaker and the narrow GOP majority still failed to rally behind one candidate, ultimately voting to adjourn until Friday afternoon.
Since Tuesday, over 11 rounds, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has seen his numbers drop from a high of 203 to 200 in the latest round, with 12 Republicans backing Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), seven supporting Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.), one pushing for former President Donald Trump, and one voting present.
During every round of voting this week, all 212 Democrats have maintained their support for Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.).
The last time lawmakers needed multiple rounds of voting to choose a speaker was a century ago, when it took nine attempts. Before that, they held 44 votes in 1859 and a historic 133 votes in 1855—a process that spanned nearly two months.
While both allies and opponents of McCarthy signaled to reporters on Capitol Hill Thursday that negotiations for a potential deal to get him into the post are ongoing, it's not clear enough of the 20 far-right members who have blocked his path to speaker have or even can be swayed.
Democrats have pointed to the drama of the past three days—on the eve of the second anniversary of Trump supporters' deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol—as proof that the GOP control of the House over the next two years will be marred by dysfunction.
"If you think House Republicans' chaos will end with electing a speaker, you aren't paying attention," Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) said Thursday night. "This is who they are. Chaotic, selfish, and incapable of leadership."
From Your Site Articles
- 'Co-Conspirators in Sedition': Here Are the Names of Every Republican Who Voted to Overturn Election Results ›
- As GOP Takes Over House, Officials Remove Metal Detectors Installed After Jan. 6 ›
- 'This Must Be Stopped': House Republicans Plan to Gut Ethics Office ›
- House GOP 'Insurrection Protection Committee Is a Sham,' Says Pressley ›
Related Articles Around the Web
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.
To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good.
News & Opinion
Trending
Common Dreams, Inc. Founded 1997. Registered 501(c3) Non-Profit
Privacy Policy