Beleaguered GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy has lost a fourth vote on taking the gavel as House Speaker following Republican leadership considering a motion to adjourn as anti-McCarthy conservatives threw their support behind Florida Republican Rep. Byron Donalds.
The Wednesday vote was a further blow to McCarthy’s efforts and it’s the first time in 100 years this has happened in the House of Representatives.
The House adjourned on Tuesday night and announced it would reconvene at noon on Wednesday following three disastrous votes against McCarthy. He fell 16 votes short on the third ballot as 20 rogue Republicans supported Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, who, ironically, supports McCarthy. After negotiations, Republicans considered adjourning again but did not do so after Democrats whipped against the move.
Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries received unanimous support from all 212 Democrats to become Minority House Leader. McCarthy only received 201 votes despite a morning endorsement from former President Trump and heavy lobbying from allies who say all this is making the Republicans look bad. Republican Indiana Rep. Victoria Spartz, who previously supported McCarthy, went on to vote “present.”
Another day, another lie from Kevin McCarthy.
Just weeks ago, Kevin McCarthy promised me and the entire House Republican caucus that he wouldn’t seek Democrat votes to secure the Speakership.
In fact his people said it was a “doomsday scenario” if this were to happen. pic.twitter.com/nUQhmmKT12
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) January 4, 2023
“There’s an important reason for nominating Byron. And that is, this country needs a change. This country needs leadership that does not reflect this city, this town, that is badly broken,” Texas Rep. Chip Roy declared during a floor speech nominating Donalds. “We’re not at the place where we need to be to guarantee that we stand up to the swamp that steps over the American people on a daily basis.”
@Chiproytx nominates Byron Donalds for Speaker. McCarthy has once again failed to achieve the needed votes. #TheGreatAmericaShow pic.twitter.com/Aug1lmeDlf
— Lou Dobbs (@LouDobbs) January 4, 2023
"I want the tools or I want the leadership to stop the swamp from running over the average American every single day"
"I don't want any more empty promises" pic.twitter.com/bUhSnq9B62
— Rep. Chip Roy Press Office (@RepChipRoy) January 3, 2023
Donalds infamously went up against New York Rep. Elise Stefanik for Republican conference chair. He garnered 74 votes at the November conference meeting.
Byron Donalds to reporters tonight:
"We knew Kevin was short. It's been like two months. Bro, you got to close the deal. You had two months. And so, at this point now, if you can't close it, we gotta find who can."
— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) January 3, 2023
McCarthy supporters are claiming this is an embarrassment for the GOP and that he is the only one who can get the necessary votes for the speakership.
“I am a retired Navy SEAL enlisted guy. I’ll let you in on a few universal truths. Rocks are heavy. Trees are made of wood. Gravity is real. No other Republican can pull 218,” incoming Wisconsin Rep. Derrick Van Orden said in an interview with the Daily Caller.
Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) entered the fray claiming that Trump told Republicans to knock it off.
“Let’s stop with the campaign smears and tactics to get people to turn against us,” Boebert asserted, according to USA Today. “Even having my favorite president call us and tell us we need to knock this off, I think it actually needs to be reversed.”
“The president needs to tell Kevin McCarthy, ‘Sir you do not have the votes and it’s time to withdraw.’” Boebert said to cheers from McCarthy’s opposition.
.@laurenboebert: "The President [Trump] needs to tell Kevin McCarthy that sir, you do not have the votes and it's time to withdraw."
MORE: https://t.co/EDtGUOAy4O pic.twitter.com/idcVf6LWaP
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) January 4, 2023
She then nominated Rep. Byron Donalds for House speaker. It was his second nomination of the day.
This drama will continue to play out until the Republicans finally select a Speaker of the House. Until then, everything and everyone is paralyzed in D.C.
Republished with permission from American Wire News Service
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