First Day of a New Congress: A Guide to Proceedings on the House Floor

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1. From govinfo.gov

Answer I got re: House functioning w/o a Speaker?

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"Vacancy

The Office of Speaker may be declared vacant by resolution, which
may be offered as a matter of privilege. Manual Sec. 315; 6 Cannon
Sec. 35. Under rule I clause 8(b)(3), adopted in the 108th Congress,
the Speaker is required to deliver to the Clerk a list of Members in
the order in which each shall act as Speaker pro tempore in the case
of a vacancy in the Office of Speaker. The Member acting as Speaker
pro tempore under this provision may exercise such authorities of the
Office of Speaker as may be necessary and appropriate pending the
election of a Speaker or Speaker pro tempore. A vacancy in the Office
may exist by reason of the physical inability of the Speaker to
discharge the duties of the Office."