Power struggle in the US House of Representatives: Chaos without end

And groundhog day: After three chaotic days of sessions, the US House of Representatives wants to make a new attempt today to elect a chairman of the chamber. exit open. It’s the longest tussle for the post since the 19th century.

After three days of electoral chaos in the US Congress, the power struggle for the highest office in the American Parliament is entering the next round today. After five more unsuccessful ballots in the vote for the chairman of the House of Representatives, the House of Representatives voted in the evening to adjourn the session to this Friday (local time/18:00 CET).

Republican candidate Kevin McCarthy has already failed eleven ballots in the past few days due to an internal party rebellion.

Historical disgrace

The election drama is paralyzing Congress and is a historical embarrassment for the 57-year-old. Republicans have a slim majority in the chamber. As a result, McCarthy would need almost all the votes of his party colleagues to be elected to the powerful post, which is third in the national hierarchy after the president and vice president.

But several Republicans on the right-wing fringe of the faction refused to support McCarthy. As a result, he did not get the necessary number of votes. Despite McCarthy’s repeated concessions to his opponents, they have so far remained tough in their resistance. On Thursday, as before, 20 Republicans stubbornly voted for alternate candidates from their party, embarrassing McCarthy and denying him an election victory. Another Republican representative abstained.

no end in sight

A solution to the tangled situation is not yet in sight – despite intense negotiations behind the scenes. McCarthy said the evening after the meeting, “We’re making good progress.” He wasn’t more specific. The Republican faction leader once again tried to downplay the internal revolt against him and denied that the uprising in his own ranks was weakening him.

Referring to the historical scope of the drama, he said, “I like making history.” He also holds the record for the longest speech in the House of Representatives.

One of the longest votes in US history

The current vote for the top job is already one of the longest in US history. Not since the 19th century has it taken the members of the House of Representatives as many attempts to elect a new leader as it does now. The last time there were more ballots was only in 1859/1860.

At that time, Republican William Pennington was only elected chairman of the Chamber of Congress in the 44th ballot. The process took several weeks at the time. How long the tugging will last this time is completely unclear.