U.S. Votes: Republican McCarthy Heads for Defeat

Republican Kevin McCarthy’s bid to become speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives ran into trouble in a series of votes on Tuesday, as hardline conservatives rebelled against him, leaving the new Republican majority in turmoil.

In what could prove to be a brutal showdown between hardliners and the overwhelming majority of House Republicans, McCarthy twice fell short of the 218-vote majority needed to succeed Democrat Nancy Pelosi as speaker. It was the first time in a century that the House failed to elect a speaker on the first vote.

“McCarthy also appeared to lack enough support as the voting went into a third round on Tuesday afternoon, with at least 20 Republicans voting for popular conservative Representative Jim Jordan to try to block McCarthy, even though Jordan did not put himself forward as a candidate.”

McCarthy showed no sign of withdrawing from the contest after the second ballot, telling reporters: “We stay in it ’til we win … it will eventually change.”

A protracted speaker election could undermine House Republican hopes of moving forward quickly on priorities including investigations of President Joe Biden’s administration and family, as well as legislative priorities involving the economy, U.S. energy independence and border security.

A standoff would leave the House largely paralyzed and could force lawmakers to consider another candidate. In addition to Jordan, incoming Majority Leader Steve Scalise was seen as a possible candidate.

McCarthy had served as the House minority leader and sought to become speaker, a position second in the line of succession to the U.S. presidency, only to draw strong opposition from his party’s right flank.

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries outran McCarthy twice in Tuesday’s voting by 212 to 203 votes. Hardline conservative Representative Andy Biggs ran against McCarthy in the initial ballot and received 10 votes.

A majority of those voting, not a plurality, is needed to determine a speaker.

BBC /Shakirat Sadiq