WASHINGTON— Kevin McCarthy finally picked up some momentum Friday, winning more than a dozen new votes on the week’s 12th ballot and getting closer to the majority he needs to claim the speaker’s job.
Two years after the U.S. Capitol was stormed by a violent mob of former President Donald Trump’s supporters, the House GOP is in turmoil as Republicans struggle to elect a House speaker. But the tide may finally be turning for McCarthy as some Republicans shifted their votes as the battle for speaker grinded on.
This is the longest the selection of a speaker has taken in more than 100 years.
Latest developments:
- A shift in momentum for McCarthy: A group of Republican defectors led by the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus have stymied the election of a House speaker by refusing to vote for the party’s House leader, Rep. Kevin McCarthy. A 12th vote saw him shift some votes, though.
- House GOP agenda on hold until speaker chosen: After two years of Democratic control in both chambers, allowing for an 18-month congressional investigation into the Capitol attack, the GOP has vowed to fight back on narratives around the Jan. 6, 2021, attack, COVID-19 and Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden. But without a speaker of the House, the party remains in political purgatory.
- House honoring January 6 anniversary: Before the House reconvened Friday, Democrats and Republicans remembered the Jan. 6 anniversary in press conferences to honor those mpacted by the violent attack two years ago.
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Comer nominates McCarthy for round 13
Republican James Comer stepped up to nominate McCarthy for the 13th ballot, arguing Democrats have failed to hold President Joe Biden accountable.
“In a Republican majority under Speaker Kevin McCarthy the forgotten, working men and women’s voices will finally be heard and represented,” he said.
Comer, of Kentucky, will be chairman of the House Oversight Committee in the 118th Congress.
— Phillip M. Bailey
New McCarthy backers hint at compromise framework
A group of GOP lawmakers, who were among the McCarthy dissenters who flipped their vote to McCarthy in the 12th ballot, told reporters that the party has agreed to a framework as ongoing conversations continue.
“It is the framework of an agreement in good faith that allows us to keep moving forward,” said Pennsylvania Rep. Scott Perry.
The group would not provide specifics, but said the framework involves the motion to vacate, spending and “conservative representation.”
– Rachel Looker and Sarah Elbeshbishi
The holdouts:Who are the Republicans balking at Kevin McCarthy as a House speaker?
Ballot 13: McCarthy now unopposed by any Republican
This may be the big vote for House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy – critics did not nominate an alternative to run against him, the first time that has happened during this week-long standoff.
McCarthy fell just a few votes short in the most recent vote, and a new vote is underway.
– David Jackson
Intern to speaker — maybe:Kevin McCarthy was once rejected for a House internship. Now he could become the next speaker
McCarthy gets close to being speaker – very close
The official tally on McCarthy’s best ballot: 213 votes, just a few short of what he needs to become speaker of the House.
McCarthy’s specific magic number is uncertain: It could be 217 or 216, depending on how many House members vote; some members are absent or may choose not to vote on a future ballot.
A 13th ballot is expected soon.
Republicans are now pressuring the seven holdouts who voted for McCarthy alternatives; Jim Jordan received four votes and Kevin Hern took three, and both of them are supporting McCarthy.
Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries pulled 211 votes from colleagues – the first time he has not led the balloting this week.
– David Jackson
The process explained:What happens after McCarthy loses multiple speaker votes? Here’s how it works.
Who are the Republican vote McCarthy flipped?
House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy had his best showing of the week on Friday, flipping 14 of his 20 detractors in his historic bid for speaker.
The Republicans he flipped are Reps. Josh Brecheen, Dan Bishop, Mike Cloud, Andy Clyde, Byron Donalds, Paul Gosar, Anna Paulina Luna, Mary Miller, Ralph Norman, Andy Ogles, Scott Perry, Chip Roy and Keith Self. And Victoria Spartz switched her vote from present to McCarthy.
Though McCarthy flipped more than half of his opposition, he still has some hardline conservatives against him: Reps. Andy Biggs, Lauren Boebert, Eli Crane, Matt Gaetz, Bob Good, Andy Harris and Matt Rosendale.
— Candy Woodall
Key votes in the House:Who are the Republicans balking at Kevin McCarthy as a House speaker?
McCarthy momentum: Would-be House Speaker picks up votes, falls just a little short
McCarthy momentum: Would-be House Speaker picks up votes, falls just a little short
Kevin McCarthy finally picked up some momentum Friday, winning at least 14 new votes on the week’s 12th ballot and getting very close to the majority he needs to claim the speaker’s job.
With the official results still being tallied, McCarthy tentatively won at least 214 votes, just short of the House majority he needs to become speaker. That number is a moving target of 217 or 216 because some members are not casting votes.
The new McCarthy supporters had voted for other people during the three previous days, but went with the Republican leader he made concessions to them over rules and committee assignments.
McCarthy and allies hope the new numbers will pressure remaining opponents to cave and end this impasse.
Another vote is likely to happen soon.
– David Jackson
Gaetz nominates Jordan, saying ‘McCarthy doesn’t have the votes’
Gaetz nominates Jordan, saying “McCarthy doesn’t have the votes”
After stating that Rep. Kevin McCarthy would still not have enough backing for the role of speaker, Rep. Matt Gaetz nominated Rep. Jim Jordan in the twelfth round of voting.
“Mr. McCarthy doesn’t have the votes today. He will not have the votes tomorrow. And he will not have the votes next week, next month, next year,” Gaetz said.
In his address, Gaetz called the Ohio Rep. “the Lebron James of fundraising.” Gaetz had previously nominated Jordan on the first day of voting, despite Jordan consistently casting his own vote for McCarthy in each round. Jordan was not nominated again Wednesday or Thursday.
— Savannah Kuchar
Clyburn evokes Jan. 6 when nominating Jeffries
South Carolina Democrat James Clyburn was the first lawmaker to remind colleagues about the 2-year anniversary of the insurrectionist attack on the Capitol when rising to nominate colleague Hakeem Jeffries for the speakership.
“Exactly two years ago today our resolve was tested when a violent mob of insurrections attacked our Capitol, threatened the integrity of this democracy and undermined our Constitution,” he said.
Earlier on Friday, a bipartisan group of lawmakers honored those impacted, injured and killed during the riot.
Clyburn, a veteran Democratic leader, also bemoaned how the chaos of the week has paralyzed Congress, saying Jeffries is “prepared to lead” and will protect democracy.
The 212 House Democrats have remained united behind Jeffries, of New York, during the entire saga.
— Phillip M. Bailey
McCarthy backer laments “dentistry of last few days”
In re-nominating McCarthy for the speaker’s job, Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Cal., opened Day Four with a vivid and painful metaphor for the process.
The “dentistry of last few days” has been painful for everybody, Garcia said ahead of a 12th ballot in the speaker’s race.
Republicans are still trying to drill down to a resolution.
– David Jackson
Most of McCarthy’s detractors received campaign money from him
Thirteen of the 20 people who keep voting against Kevin McCarthy for speaker received campaign money this cycle from McCarthy’s political action committee, Majority Committee PAC, according to records from the Federal Election Commission.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2023/01/06/kevin-mccarthy-campaign-money-speaker-race/10996257002/
They include Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, leader of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus, and Byron Donalds of Florida, who at first voted for McCarthy but then switched his vote, and ended up becoming a candidate for speaker himself.
Seven of the 20 received no money from McCarthy’s main fundraising PACs. They include Reps. Matt Gaetz of Florida and Lauren Boebert of Colorado.
— Erin Mansfield
House speakership still undecided
As the first week of the 118th Congress comes to a close, a House speaker has not yet been selected.
Though House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy has consistently won a majority of Republican votes, some 20 conservatives refuse to cast votes in his favor, preferring candidates like Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., or Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla. Without those votes, McCarthy is short of the votes needed to win the powerful position.
Democrats have remained united around leader Hakeem Jeffries, all 212 voting in his favor in all 10 votes.
The situation has left Congress stymied, since no member of the House of Representatives can be sworn in and no rules can be adopted until someone is selected for the role.
– Ella Lee
What to expect on Day 4
When the House gavels in at noon Friday, it will become evident if Thursday negotiations were fruitful for House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy who has lost 11 consecutive votes for speaker.
Lawmakers and political analysts in both parties discussed last night the possibility of a deal that could appease 20 rebels in his right flank and whether at least 16 of them would be swayed to McCarthy’s side.
On the fourth day of a new Congress without a speaker and sworn-in members, all eyes will be on the competing GOP factions of McCarthy and his 200 allies and his 20 detractors led by Reps. Matt Gaetz, Chip Roy, Scott Perry and Andy Biggs.
The math allows McCarthy to lose four of the 20 in his bid for speaker. But after days of a cumbersome process, any movement to his side would be seen as a huge momentum shift for the caucus leader.
It’s possible a historic 12th vote could begin at noon, or some members could push for an adjournment until Monday, leaving Congress without a House speaker or sworn-in representatives for the weekend. McCarthy is not in favor of adjourning for the weekend and has said the House shouldn’t leave if its work isn’t done.
“Progress” has been the magic word all week, with both McCarthy allies and opponents telling reporters an agreement was near.
Friday could prove them right or wrong.
— Candy Woodall
House to honor Jan. 6 anniversary
Before the House reconvenes Friday, Democrats and Republicans will remember the Jan. 6 anniversary in press conferences to honor those who were killed, injured and impacted by the violent attack two years ago.
At 9:30 a.m. on the House Triangle, Democratic Reps. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey and Dean Phillips of Minnesota will mark the anniversary and highlight the recently passed Electoral Count Reform Act they say “will help preserve the integrity of our elections and protect democracy.”
At 10 a.m. on the House steps, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries will hold a bipartisan remembrance with Republicans, recognizing two years since the attack.
Many House members serving today were there on Jan. 6, 2021, when a violent mob stormed the Capitol.
— Candy Woodall
