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Kevin McCarthy fell short and did not get enough votes to become Speaker of the House of Representatives. In the first round of voting, the Californian took 202 votes to Hakeem Jeffries’ 212 and 19 from Republicans who opted for other choices, ranging from Andy Biggs to Lee Zeldin, who is no longer in Congress. It is the second time since the Civil War that a second vote has been required to elect the Speaker and the first in 100 years.
Although McCarthy was smiling and cheerful at the end of the vote, his attempt was again thwarted. He failed to win the necessary support to claim the gavel vacated by Nancy Pelosi.
“I earned this job. We earned this majority, and God dammit we are going to win it today,” McCarthy assured minutes before the vote, to a majority ovation within the caucus. Despite the strength of the applause, 19 Republicans chose not to endorse him, complicating his aspirations.
The way forward is as follows: vote again until a name passes the 218-vote threshold. There can be as many ballots as required and take as long as necessary.
On the list of defectors, ten people (Biggs, Bishop, Clyde, Crane, Gaetz, Good, Gosar, Norman, Perry, and Rosendale) voted for Andy Biggs of Arizona; six (Boebert, Cloud, Luna, Mary Miller, Ogles, Self) opted for Jim Jordan of Ohio; one (Roy) who relied on Byron Donalds of Florida to hold the gavel; one (Brecheen) who voted alone for Jim Banks of Indiana; and one (Harris) who voted for Lee Zeldin, former representative and failed candidate for governor of New York.
McCarthy tried it all, from reaching out in rhetoric toward opposing caucus members, to effectively caving in to their requests, such as facilitating the removal of the acting speaker.
Democrats had an outstanding voting performance as each and every member of the caucus united behind Hakeem Jeffries.
A second vote will take place in the near future, where it will be necessary to see if McCarthy’s fortunes change for the better, or if it is necessary to go back to the negotiating table.
Developing news…
Joaquín Núñez es licenciado en comunicación periodística por la Universidad Católica Argentina. Se especializa en el escenario internacional y en la política nacional norteamericana. Confeso hincha de Racing Club de Avellaneda. Contacto: [email protected] // Joaquín Núñez has a degree in journalistic communication from the Universidad Católica Argentina. He specializes in the international scene and national American politics. Confessed fan of Racing Club of Avellaneda. Contact: [email protected]