Status: 04.01.2023 21:04
Round after round he loses: In the election for the speaker of the US House of Representatives, the Republican McCarthy failed again today because of dissenting votes from his own ranks. And there is still no end to the voting marathon in sight.
After several unsuccessful rounds of voting for the most powerful post in the US House of Representatives, the House of Representatives has started new attempts to determine a chairman – but these have not produced any results either.
Block right-wing hardliners
Republican Kevin McCarthy is once again defeated by opposition from ultra-conservative members of his own party. Yesterday – in the first three rounds of voting – McCarthy’s critics rallied behind Republican Jim Jordan, who said he had no interest in the post. Today, right-wing lawmakers voted for Republican Byron Donalds.
McCarthy did not manage to get the necessary majority of 218 votes in today’s election round – although the Republicans have just won the majority in the House of Representatives. The reason for the resistance from within their own ranks: Many right-wing MPs from the camp of ex-President Donald Trump reject McCarthy as too moderate.
Republicans now control the US House of Representatives with 222 seats. 218 votes are required for a majority in the election of the “speaker”.
Trump supports McCarthy
Nevertheless, he gave McCarthy demonstrative support today. “Now is the time for all of our great Republicans to vote for Kevin, close the deal, take the win,” Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social media platform.
“Don’t turn a great triumph into a huge and embarrassing defeat. It’s time to celebrate, you deserve it. Kevin McCarthy will do a good job and maybe even a great job – just wait and see,” Trump wrote.
Election defeat number four: Again no majority for Kevin McCarthy
Katrin Brand, ARD Washington, January 4, 2023 7:54 p.m