McCarthy fails in marathon votes for speaker, House adjourns

[BumRushDaShow]

Last edited Tue Jan 3, 2023, 08:06 PM - Edit history (9)

Source: AP

WASHINGTON (AP) — Failing to elect party leader Kevin McCarthy as the new speaker of the House, Republicans adjourned in disarray Tuesday night, ending a raucous first day of the new Congress but hoping to somehow regroup on Wednesday from his historic defeat.

The abrupt end to a long, messy Day One showed there is no easy way ahead for McCarthy who promised to fight to the finish to claim the gavel despite opposition from the chamber’s most conservative members. Needing 218 votes in the full House, McCarthy got just 203 in two rounds — less even than Democrat Hakeem Jeffries in the GOP-controlled chamber — and fared even worse with 202 in round three.

Tensions rose as night fell on the new House majority, and all other business came to a halt. The House agreed to return at noon Wednesday. “Kevin McCarthy is not going to be a speaker,” declared Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., among the holdouts.

McCarthy had pledged a “battle on the floor” for as long as it took to overcome right-flank fellow Republicans who were refusing to give him their votes. But it was not at all clear how the embattled GOP leader could rebound after becoming the first House speaker nominee in 100 years to fail to win the gavel with his party in the majority.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-us-republican-party-united-states-house-of-representatives-kevin-mccarthy-8b1d6cdf0d75dfc95b195c301f9ae344

---

ETA - ROUND 3 underway - and just completed. Bzzzt.

ETA2 - CSPAN host says there was buzz on the floor from the GOP conference considering a motion to adjourn so they can conference privately (they would need (D) support from what she said and McCarthy is refusing to leave).

ETA3 - The House successfully did a voice vote to adjourn until noon Wednesday January 4, 2023!

ROUND 1

211 (Jeffries)
202 (McCarthy)
10 (Biggs)
9 (Others)
0 (Present)

ROUND 2

212 (Jeffries)
203 (McCarthy)
19 (Jordan)
0 (Others)
0 (Present)

ROUND 3

212 (Jeffries)
202 (McCarthy)
20 (Jordan)
0 (Others)
0 (Present)



(I am surprised that Scalise didn't offer himself up but he didn't)

AP FINALLY USED THE WORD "DISARRAY" FOR REPUBLICANS!

Article updated.

Previous headlines/articles -

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Unable to elect Republican leader Kevin McCarthy as the new House speaker Tuesday, the Republicans adjourned for the day in disarray as the party tries to regroup from his a historic defeat after a long, messy start for the new Congress.

The surprise move end to Day One shows there is no easy way out for McCarthy whose effort to claim the gavel collapsed to opposition from conservatives. Needing 218 votes in the full House, McCarthy got just 203 in two rounds -- less even than Democrat Hakeem Jeffries in the GOP-controlled chamber. A third ballot was even worse, with McCarthy losing 20 votes as night fell on the new House GOP majority, tensions rising as all other business came to a halt.

McCarthy had pledged a "battle on the floor" for as long as it took to overcome right-flank fellow Republicans who were refusing to give him their votes. But it was not at all clear how the embattled GOP leader could rebound after becoming the first House speaker nominee in 100 years to fail to win the gavel with his party in the majority.

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. "We all came here to get things done," said the second-ranking Republican, Rep. Steve Scalise, in a rousing speech urging his colleagues to drop their protest.

McCarthy fails in marathon votes for speaker, not giving up

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Republican leader Kevin McCarthy failed in marathon voting Tuesday to become House speaker, a historic defeat with no clear way out as House Republicans dug in for a long, messy start for the new Congress.

Needing 218 votes in the full House, McCarthy got just 203 in two rounds -- less even than Democrat Hakeem Jeffries in the GOP-controlled chamber. A third ballot was underway as night fell on the new House GOP majority, tensions rising as all other business came to a halt.

McCarthy had pledged a "battle on the floor" for as long as it took to overcome right-flank fellow Republicans who were refusing to give him their votes. But it was not at all clear how the embattled GOP leader could rebound after becoming the first House speaker nominee in 100 years to fail to win the gavel with his party in the majority.

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. "We all came here to get things done," said the second-ranking Republican, Rep. Steve Scalise, in a rousing speech urging his colleagues to drop their protest.

McCarthy fails in two votes for House speaker, not conceding

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Republican leader Kevin McCarthy failed in two rounds of voting to become House speaker Tuesday, a historic defeat with no clear way out as House Republicans dug in for a long, messy start for the new Congress. Needing 218 votes in the full House, McCarthy got just 203 in both rounds -- less even than Democrat Hakeem Jeffries in the GOP-controlled chamber.

McCarthy had pledged a "battle on the floor" for as long as it took to overcome right-flank fellow Republicans who were refusing to give him their votes. But it was not at all clear how the embattled GOP leader could rebound after becoming the first House speaker nominee in 100 years to fail to win the gavel from his fellow party members on the initial vote.

Before the second vote, rival-turned-McCarthy ally, conservative Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, who got six votes in the first round, rose to urge his colleagues, even those who backed him as an alternative, to drop their opposition. "We have to rally around him, come together" Jordan said of McCarthy.

But Rep Matt Gaetz of Florida followed with a vigorous re-endorsement of Jordan. underscoring the chaos within the party. "I rise to nominate the most talented, hardest working member of the Republican conference, who just gave a speech with more vision that we have ever heard from the alternative," Gaetz said. Jordan got 19 votes in the second round.

McCarthy falls short in first speaker vote, 2nd round begins

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Republican leader Kevin McCarthy failed in two rounds of voting to become House speaker Tuesday, a historic defeat with no clear way out as House Republicans dug in for a long, messy start for the new Congress. Needing 218 votes in the full House, McCarthy got just 203 in both rounds -- less even that Democrat Hakeem Jeffries in the GOP-controlled chamber.

McCarthy had pledged a "battle on the floor" for as long as it took to overcome right-flank fellow Republicans who were refusing to give him their votes. But it was not at all clear how the embattled GOP leader could rebound after becoming the first House speaker nominee in 100 years to fail to win the gavel from his fellow party members on the initial vote.

Before the second vote, rival-turned-McCarthy ally, conservative Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, who got six votes in the first round, rose to urge his colleagues, even those who backed him as an alternative, to drop their opposition. "We have to rally around him, come together" Jordan said of McCarthy.

But Rep Matt Gaetz of Florida followed with a vigorous re-endorsement of Jordan. underscoring the chaos within the party. "I rise to nominate the most talented, hardest working member of the Republican conference, who just gave a speech with more vision that we have ever heard from the alternative," Gaetz said. Jordan got 19 votes in the second round.

McCarthy falls short in first vote for House speaker

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Republican leader Kevin McCarthy was dealt a historic defeat in first-round voting Tuesday to become House speaker, vowing to try again but sending the new Congress into opening day tumult as conservative colleagues opposed his leadership. McCarthy had pledged a "battle on the floor" for as long as it takes to overcome right-flank fellow Republicans who were refusing to give him their votes.

But it was not at all clear how the embattled GOP leader could rebound after becoming the first House speaker nominee in 100 years to fail to win the gavel from his fellow party members on the initial vote. McCarthy strode into the chamber, posed for photos, and received a standing ovation from many on his side of the aisle after being nominated by the third-ranking Republican, Rep. Elise Stefanik, who said he "has what it takes" to lead House Republicans.

"No one has worked harder for this majority than Kevin McCarthy," said Stefanik, R-N.Y. But a challenge was quickly raised by Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., a conservative former leader of the Freedom Caucus, who was nominated by a fellow conservative as speaker. In all, 19 Republicans peeled away, denying McCarthy the majority as they cast votes for Biggs or others in protest.

The mood was tense, at least on the Republican side, as lawmakers rose from their seats, in a lengthy first round of in-person voting. Democrats were joyous as they cast their own historic votes for their leader, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York, the first Black person to lead a major American political party.

Original article -

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Republican leader Kevin McCarthy appeared headed toward a historic defeat in first-round voting Tuesday to become House speaker, sending the new Congress into a tangle as conservative colleagues opposed his leadership.

McCarthy had pledged a "battle on the floor" for as long as it takes to overcome right-flank fellow Republicans who were refusing to give him their votes. But it was not at all clear how the embattled GOP leader grasping for political survival could avoid becoming the first House speaker nominee in 100 years to fail to win the gavel from his fellow party members on the initial vote.

With dozens of votes still to come, 19 fellow Republicans had abandoned McCarthy. McCarthy strode into the chamber, posed for photos, and received a standing ovation from many on his side of the aisle after being nominated by the third-ranking Republican, Rep. Elise Stefanik, who said he "has what it takes" to lead House Republicans.

"No one has worked harder for this majority than Kevin McCarthy," said Stefanik, R-N.Y. But a challenge was quickly raised by Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., a conservative former leader of the Freedom Caucus, who was nominated by a fellow conservative as speaker. More than a dozen Republicans peeled away, opposing McCarthy with votes for Biggs or others in protest.

[bearsfootball516]

1. It would have been funny if the Speaker was elected by simple majority.

And Jeffries was now the speaker.

[underpants]

3. Yeah that would be funny. If 6 abstain would that give it to him?

I don’t know the rules

[ColinC]

11. I think as long as they have a majority, they win.

So I think that would work?

[TheRickles]

5. Plurality. But yes - too bad that's not how they keep score.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

9. It'd be especially delicious if my district's shithead congressman Andy Biggs

caused that GOP catastrophe

[underpants]

2. Ha ha ha

[PJMcK]

4. Scalise is biding his time

He's waiting for 2 or 3 McCarthy failures before he'll toss his hat into the ring.

I think Scalise will emerge as the Speaker but the Republican caucus will be fractured because of these divisions.

[Javaman]

6. Let the repuke circus begin! Lol nt

[mahatmakanejeeves]

7. How many ballots is the record for Speaker of the House?

They have a long way to go to beat this.

United States presidential nominating convention

{snip}

Voting

{snip}

Before the presidential nomination season actually begins, there is often speculation about whether a single front runner would emerge. If there is no single candidate receiving a majority of delegates at the end of the primary season, a scenario called a brokered convention would result, where a candidate would be selected either at or near the convention, through political horse-trading and lesser candidates compelling their delegates to vote for one of the front runners. The best example was the 1924 Democratic Convention, which took 103 ballots.

{snip}

[BumRushDaShow]

51. WaPo had an example of one with 133 votes

When the House needed two months and 133 votes to elect a speaker

By Ronald G. Shafer
December 30, 2022 at 7:00 a.m. EST


For the first time in exactly 100 years, the U.S. House of Representatives may need more than one round of voting to elect a speaker when the new Congress convenes on Tuesday.

But a few extra rounds of balloting would be a far cry from the nearly two months and 133 votes the House took to choose its leader in 1856 — the longest and most contentious speaker election in its history.

The race pitted antislavery Rep. Nathaniel “Bobbin Boy” Banks, a member of the nativist American Party from Massachusetts, against candidates who were open to expanding slavery to new states and territories. The debate raged on amid mounting violence between proslavery and antislavery settlers in “Bleeding Kansas.”

Today, Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is struggling to win enough votes to be elected speaker when Republicans take narrow control of the House, as he faces opposition from some right-wing members of his party. As a result, it may take more than one ballot for anyone to gain the 218 votes, or the majority of votes cast for candidates, needed to win the speakership. McCarthy has warned fellow Republicans against a floor fight, saying, “If we play games on the floor, Democrats could end up picking who the speaker is.”

(snip)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2022/12/30/house-speaker-longest-vote/

No paywall

[William Seger]

8. So, AP doesn't know the difference between "conservative" and "reactionary fascist" (nt)

[Rhiagel]

10. Let's do it again...

[ColinC]

12. It'll be interesting who the mainstreet caucus ultimately falls behind if McCarthy is forced to pull

out. I imagine Scalise may get the support he needs.

[BumRushDaShow]

13. Right now, unless McCarthy gets (D) votes with this 2nd ballot

he has lost again - early in the process, he already lost 7 loons who voted for Gymsuit (and he can't lose more than 4 votes).

[ColinC]

38. It'll be hilarious if he (or some other R) concedes leadership positions to Dems

and some committee majorities in order to secure the speakership.

[BumRushDaShow]

39. The CSPAN host earlier mentioned that a suggestion had been made

to consider having a "coalition government". Their conference would go apeshit over that ALTHOUGH the "Problem Solvers Caucus" might be a group who would possibly consider that approach.

Jeffries only needs 6 votes to be Speaker.

[ColinC]

40. I can't imagine any Rs at all would settle on a Dem speaker

But a coalition government could have a moderate speaker (perhaps Don Bacon?) with Dem chairmanships and some committee majorities. What is more moderate -the problem solvers caucus or main street caucus? Surely Don Bacon seems a lot more vocal than others on a compromise.

[BumRushDaShow]

45. The Problem Solvers Caucus has Democrats and Republicans on it

as well as some Senators, so they are bipartisan and bicameral (Bacon is already part of that group - I think the Main Street are just Republicans). The Senators who have worked with them in the past are mentioned here -

Senators Joe Manchin (WV), Susan Collins (ME), Mark Warner (VA), Bill Cassidy (LA), Jeanne Shaheen (NH), Lisa Murkowski (AK), Angus King (ME), Mitt Romney (UT), and Maggie Hassan (NH)

This was the membership in the last Congress (117th) - https://problemsolverscaucus.house.gov/members

Some have retired but I expect with some of the incoming freshman from swing districts, there might be more (e.g., I bet Mary Peltola from AK would join).

[ColinC]

54. Thanks! Perhaps the problem solvers caucus may be able to solve this problem!

[BumRushDaShow]

57. They were apparently behind the scenes

negotiating the various iterations of BBB including the (reduced but still substantive) Infrastructure bill and the earlier COVID relief bill.

I briefly had MSNBC on (Nicole Wallace) and there was mention about how you now have people elected to office who were never part of nor have a legislative background (let alone any public service experience). So they literally ran as what amounts to individualistic "outsiders" and that can never work well in a body that relies on collaboration.

But see, the GOP needed the very scum of the earth like them to pad their numbers to get control but now they can't handle or control the Frankenstein monster they created, nurtured, tried to ignore, and now are defending themselves against.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

14. Where else can you get a job bad mouthing your employer?

Then GOP kakistocracy is on full display

[SunSeeker]

15. Gym Jordan uses the spotlight to bloviate and lie. Then the clerk cuts off the Dem!

[BumRushDaShow]

16. Yeah well Aguilar wasn't having that!

[SunSeeker]

17. Glad he called her out for trying to shut him down while letting Gym Jordan spew.

But he spoke a fraction of the time Gym Jordan did.

[BumRushDaShow]

19. I noticed she left after that

and a different Clerk just finished the 2nd (failed) vote for McCarthy.

[LudwigPastorius]

18. McCarthy just lost the second vote.

BWAHAHAHHAhahahahah!!

[BumRushDaShow]

20. Yup

[muriel_volestrangler]

22. Is it important who the "others" are who got a few votes in the 1st?

Could they contain someone enough of a nutjob for the crazies to get behind, but also for the mainstream Rs to say "he's still for tax cuts, so we'll vote for him"?

[BumRushDaShow]

24. It was a mix

Here was a scratch pad list from a NYT reporter -

Jan. 3, 2023, 2:00 p.m. ET
2 hours ago
Emily Cochrane

Here’s my list of the defectors: 10 people (Biggs, Bishop, Clyde, Crane, Gaetz, Good, Gosar, Norman, Perry and Rosendale) voting for Andy Biggs of Arizona; six people (Boebert, Cloud, Luna, Mary Miller, Ogles, Self) voting for Jim Jordan of Ohio; one person (Roy) voting for Byron Donalds of Florida; one person (Brecheen) voting for Jim Banks of Indiana; and one person (Harris) voting for Lee Zeldin, a former representative and unsuccessful candidate for New York governor.

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/01/03/us/house-speaker-vote/f10dd9cf-43c8-527c-9748-f6fbc4b48df0?smid=url-share

[IronLionZion]

21. Do RWers want Elise Stefanik?

How about George Santos?

[BumRushDaShow]

23. Santos sheepishly supported McCarthy

but I'm still waiting for Scalise to make his move.

[DinahMoeHum]

25. Better not turn around, Kevin. . .

And for your own sake, Kevin, be sure to not EVER stand between her and a microphone.

[IronLionZion]

27. Not sure that party has any moderates left

but they could nominate a moderate and get enough Dem votes.

Either way, it looks like the new GOP house is not going to accomplish much if they can't even agree on a speaker.

[muriel_volestrangler]

34. Is there any Republican left in the House that voted to impeach Trump at least once?

That ought to be a minimum requirement.

[BumRushDaShow]

41. Because of redistricting

there are a pile of new GOPers in new swing districts.

The problem is whoever gets that position - especially if a Republican - would face the gauntlet of their own loons. You saw them voting - basically 19 - 20 of them.

[ananda]

26. Munch munch -- Is anyone surprised?

[Marthe48]

28. More obstruction of government business

I'd like to see the obstructionists hauled off to jail.

Not saying kev doesn't deserve what he's getting. Just saying the traitors are once again obstructing the U.S.
putin will be thrilled.

[BumRushDaShow]

29. They are all in limbo right now because they haven't been sworn in

And McCarthy actually lost another loon vote who switched to Jordan in round #3.

[Marthe48]

32. I'm glad the Dems got so much accomplished

before the traitors got a majority. Can't say gavel, because they can't even do that right.

[BumRushDaShow]

42. I think that is why Biden personally pushed and cajoled

and worked behind the scenes with the principals in both chambers (having been a creature of Congress himself) because he knew - if you don't get it done now, it won't get done. And he was battling the Manchins and Sinemas along the way.

[Marthe48]

44. President Biden made remarkable progress

with the messes traitor left, the ongoing petty annoyances, President Biden is showing true leadership in his 1st term. He could have skated after traitor's fiasco, but he soared!

[BumRushDaShow]

52. And he also did it

with the narrowest of margins in both chambers. I think it was because he was by far, the most experienced one in the room - U.S. Senator for 35 years and VP for 8 years. He is truly a creature of public service and very much cognizant of what steps are needed to enact legislation (i.e., it's more than pounding a podium and stomping your feet)!

[ancianita]

30. Claire McCaskill wondered aloud if McCarthy thinks that dragging this out will get some Democrats

to break away later in the night, throw votes his way, just to get it all the hell over with. McCaskill said that often the older members just don't want to have their sleep held hostage. McCarthy might think that way, but Democrats won't be compromised over lack of sleep.

IMO, Pelosi and Jeffries have the minority in total solidarity mode for the duration of the 118th.

[BumRushDaShow]

31. Their issue is their loon teabagger/Freedumb caucus

including the usual suspects. If you have a Gaetz, Gosar, Boebert, Biggs, and Perry (Perry being the leader of the group), just those 5 would torpedo his chances as he can't lose more than 4 of his Conference and not need (D) votes to get over the top... and he took a flame-thrower to every bridge to the Democratic Caucus.

[ancianita]

33. Yes, they're all that. Which means WE still have a Jan 6 Select Committee that can send its trove

of documents right on over to the National Archive. The 118th doesn't exist until they cobble their chaos into some speaker who'll swear them in. After that, it will all likely stay just as bad as today.

[BumRushDaShow]

47. Well Pelosi did officially gavel out the 117th Congress in the House a few minutes befoe noon

but now they are all in limbo there.

[ancianita]

50. Right??

Guess she'll be doing it again tomorrow.

[BumRushDaShow]

53. From what I understand, the Clerk is "in charge" of shepherding the session along now

[ancianita]

55. Yes, I saw that. But does the clerk gavel in tomorrow's session?

I'd think that as long as the 117th exists, Pelosi can still gavel in each day until an alleged 'speaker' swears in the official 118th House.

To me, everything's gonna be beyond weird for the next two years, while all this infighting gets amplified and fires up corporate media profit.

[BumRushDaShow]

59. The 117th Congress doesn't "exist" anymore

Pelosi gavelled them out of session just before noon as is required by the Constitution. She is no longer Speaker and there is no going back. They are now into the 118th Congress with a large freshman class.

The last time this happened was 1923.

If no candidate can win a majority, the House will continue to hold votes until one does; that has happened only 14 times in the chamber's history; 13 of these took place before the Civil War, and the last occurrence was 1923. 

The Clerk can call them into session and go through the benediction and Pledge of Allegiance, etc., and obviously the business of voting.

[BumRushDaShow]

35. HOUSE ADJOURNED!

[ancianita]

36. WHAT. A. SHITSHOW!

No functioning House.

Danny Goldman says that the Democrats will remain united all the way. A great contrast for the country to see.

[BumRushDaShow]

46. None of the 434 (with one (D) vacancy)

have been sworn in yet until "they form a government" as the Parliamentary nomenclature goes.

[ancianita]

48. Exactly. So technically, there is no 118th Congress until then. Way to gut government.

The hardliners render this slim majority worthless. And they don't care. There is all high school petty grievance, and no adults in that freedumb caucus. I can't wait for Jack Smith to diminish their political status even more.

[LeftInTX]

56. Good! A day without the GOP is like a day without hemorrhoids

[BumRushDaShow]

60. ...

[myohmy2]

37. everyone...

...trump endorses has odor and problems...

...I don't think trump really wants kevvy, kevvy hasn't enough MAGAt stench...

...and a 100 year gavel failure would certainly be dick-hardening to any MAGAt...

...MAGAt power...

[Evolve Dammit]

43. The Orange Bloated One has risen and the Death Eaters are seeking retribution. It's that simple.

They would toss America in the gutter in a heartbeat, guised as "patriotism" with a cross, flag and an AR.

[ancianita]

49. Death Eaters, indeed.

[Evolve Dammit]

61. I don't know how else to describe them. Rowling nailed it. They have nothhig of value, just death.

[GB_RN]

58. To Make An Analogy Of Today's Situation...

The Krazy Koup Klan threw the pin after they pulled the grenade.