Fractured House Republicans fail to find a new leader: Washington Photos of the Week
Fractured House Republicans fail to find a new leader: Washington Photos of the Week
October 14, 2023 07:33 AM
The House of Representatives heads into another week without a speaker after Republicans failed to unite around one candidate who can win the majority support necessary in a floor vote.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) initially became the nominee to succeed ousted Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) when he defeated Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) in a secret ballot vote on Wednesday. But in a dramatic turn, Scalise dropped out the following day when it became clear he had too many defectors among the GOP’s narrow majority.
By Friday, House Republicans huddled again with another closed-door vote, where Jordan defeated Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA) to become the latest speaker nominee. Jordan, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, now will try to convince the entire conference to rally around him.
The House adjourned for the weekend with no clear schedule for referring the nomination for a floor vote. They’ll return on Monday as Jordan tries to secure the necessary 217 votes among his colleagues.
Meanwhile, business in the House is at a standstill, despite the demands to pass legislation before the Nov. 17 government shutdown deadline and to show bipartisan support for Israel after the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack.