The Republicans in the US House of Representatives are becoming increasingly entangled in chaos: a third candidate for the office of chairman of the chamber is also giving up because he lacks the support of his party colleagues. And now? Everything is open again.
Republican Tom Emmer has given up his candidacy for Speaker of the US House of Representatives. His withdrawal came just hours after his nomination by the party. It had previously become clear that he would not receive enough support from his colleagues.
Emmer gave up his candidacy after former President Donald Trump objected to his nomination and hardliners in the House of Representatives apparently denied the Minnesota Republican necessary votes.
Trump objects, the MPs follow
After a meeting with party colleagues, Emmer quickly left the Capitol and jumped into a waiting car. He did not respond to questions that reporters called out to him. The Republicans then retreated behind closed doors and looked for a way out of the chaos they had created.
Trump wrote on social networks on Tuesday that he had “many wonderful friends” who “want to become Speaker of the House of Representatives.” However, Emmer is “not one of them”. It would be a “mistake” to make him chairman, Trump said.
Lacking Willingness to compromise
Emmer is the third Republican candidate whose candidacy fails. The previous chairman, Kevin McCarthy, was deposed at the beginning of October with the votes of a small group from the right wing of his party, becoming the first chairman of the House of Representatives in US history.
His critics had accused him of being too willing to compromise with President Joe Biden. That followed a dispute over who should replace McCarthy and what direction the party should take in the future. Both parliamentary group leader Steve Scalise and MP Jim Jordan, who supported Trump, threw in the towel, Jordan only after losing three rounds of voting.
In order to be elected to the third most important political office in the USA after President and Vice President, an absolute majority is required among the members of the House of Representatives present. This would probably require 217 votes in the chamber. Since the Republicans only have a narrow majority with 221 seats, a candidate can only afford a few dissidents within his own ranks.