US House of Representatives: McCarthy also fails in the eighth ballot

Status: 05.01.2023 21:51

The tussle over the presidency of the US House of Representatives continues: in the eighth ballot for the post of chief, some party friends denied Republican McCarthy the necessary majority. Now there is a ninth attempt.

The Republicans in the US House of Representatives have again failed in their attempt to elect a new chairman for the Congress Chamber. The previous faction leader Kevin McCarthy did not get a sufficient majority among his party colleagues after three attempts on Tuesday and Wednesday, even in the seventh and eighth attempt. In the evening, the Republicans then started a new attempt.

Republicans now control the US House of Representatives with 222 seats. 218 votes are required for a majority in the election of the “speaker”.

Party colleagues let McCarthy run up

McCarthy had previously made far-reaching concessions to his opponents in the Republican ranks. However, this did not change the rejection of his candidacy by the representatives of the ultra-right wing of the party. McCarthy again failed to get the necessary majority of 218 votes, even though the Republicans hold 222 seats in the US House of Representatives. As in the elections on Tuesday and Wednesday, party colleagues refused to approve him.

The reason for the resistance from within their own ranks: many right-wing MPs from ex-President Donald Trump’s camp reject McCarthy as too moderate. An appeal by Trump on Wednesday to vote for McCarthy fell flat.

Committee work blocked

The blocking of the speaker election has concrete consequences: Without a chair, the deputies cannot be sworn in, form committees and start drafting legislation. The office of Speaker of the House is the third highest in the United States governmental hierarchy, after the President and Vice President. McCarthy wants to succeed Democrat Nancy Pelosi in the post.

The power struggle also shows the inner turmoil of Republicans. They had regained a majority in the House of Representatives in the midterm elections in November and actually wanted to drive President Joe Biden in front of them. Now many are wondering whether the dysfunctional party is even capable of handling the important tasks in the parliamentary chamber.

source site