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.
Here’s a look at Capitol scenes from the week of Oct. 9 captured by Washington Examiner photographer Graeme Jennings.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) speaks with reporters while walking to a House Republican conference meeting in the basement of the Capitol, on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023. Greene listed Scalise’s cancer diagnosis as a reason to vote against him for the speakership.
Graeme Jennings/Graeme Jennings
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) walks to the House Republican speakership meeting in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill, on Oct. 10, 2023. Mace wore a t-shirt with a large red letter A, in an apparent reference to The Scarlet Letter, the 1850 novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Mace said it symbolized her being “demonized” for her decision to vote Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) out of the speakership office.
Graeme Jennings/Graeme Jennings
Former U.S. Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) speaks to reporters following a House Republican caucus meeting on Tuesday, October 11, 2023. The House is still working to find a replacement for McCarthy after he was ousted on Oct. 3, 2023.
Graeme Jennings/Graeme Jennings
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) arrives at a House Republican speakership meeting, on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. Gaetz led the group of eight Republicans and all Democrats who voted on Oct. 3, 2023, to remove Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) as speaker. It remains unclear whether House Republicans can nominate a replacement who can rally the near-total GOP support necessary to succeed on a vote floor.
Graeme Jennings/Graeme Jennings
Rep. George Santos (R-NY) leaves a House Republican conference meeting to nominate a Speaker of the House, Capitol Hill, on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. According to a new indictment announced Tuesday, Oct. 10, Santos allegedly stole the identities of donors to his campaign and then used their credit cards to make tens of thousands of dollars in unauthorized charges.
Graeme Jennings/Graeme Jennings
Members of the press gather in the basement of the Capitol to speak to House lawmakers on their way to a conference meeting, on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023.
Graeme Jennings/Graeme Jennings
Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) speaks to the media prior to a Republican speakership meeting on Capitol Hill, on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2023. Scalise dropped out of the race to become the new House speaker, after failing to secure enough support.
Graeme Jennings/Graeme Jennings
Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) speaks to the media following a House Republican conference meeting on Capitol Hill, on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2023. Scalise dropped out of the race to become the new House speaker, after failing to secure enough support.
Graeme Jennings/Graeme Jennings
A congressional staffer wheels a trolly carrying Chick-fil-A food ahead of a House Republican conference meeting in the basement of the Capitol Building on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023.
Graeme Jennings/Graeme Jennings
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) walks through the basement of the Capitol Building on his way to a House Republican conference meeting on Capitol Hill, Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023. Jordan first lost to Steve Scalise (R-LA) in a 113-99 secret ballot vote on Wednesday in his bid to become House speaker. But in a turn of events, Scalise dropped out of the race on Thursday over lack of support and Jordan became the nominee on Friday in a 124-81 vote over Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA).
Graeme Jennings/Graeme Jennings
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) walks through the basement of the Capitol Building on his way to a House Republican conference meeting on Capitol Hill, Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023. Jordan first lost to Steve Scalise (R-LA) in a 113-99 secret ballot vote on Wednesday in his bid to become House speaker. But in a turn of events, Scalise dropped out of the race on Thursday over lack of support and Jordan became the nominee on Friday in a 124-81 vote over Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA).
