Republican Kevin McCarthy’s drive to become speaker of the US House of Representatives suffered a once-in-a-century humiliation as opposition by ultraconservatives in his own party denied him a majority in three rounds of voting.
It was the first time since 1923 the position wasn’t decided on the first ballot — emphasizing the division that’s consumed the GOP since Donald Trump’s loss to Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election.
The impasse means no other House business can proceed, such as the swearing in of hundreds of lawmakers. It raises fundamental questions about the Republicans’ ability to steer a chamber that must grapple with key issues such as raising the debt ceiling and funding the government of the world’s biggest economy as a global recession looms.
McCarthy, a 57-year-old California congressman, made a number of concessions to Trump loyalists, including a rule to make it easier to oust the speaker, effectively weakening his position should he secure it.
Trump yesterday encouraged him to stay in the race, but the former president’s acolytes are demanding more, such as votes on a balanced budget and term limits for members of Congress and a strict Texas border plan, political minefields that moderates want to avoid. They also accuse him of not doing enough over the years to stop Democratic-backed spending packages.
Democrats, who lost their House majority in the unexpectedly close midterm election in November but retained control of the Senate, are enjoying the spectacle of McCarthy’s protracted suffering.
While he may still realize his longtime ambition when members convene later today for another attempt to choose the speaker, Republican control of the House has gotten off to the worst possible start.
Whoever ends up in the post, it doesn’t bode well for the legislative year ahead.
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