JANUARY 7, 2023:
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Kevin McCarthy is the new House speaker, but it took days and days, and 15 roll call votes, ending early Saturday (Jan. 7, 2023). But as bruising as it was for McCarthy, his struggle to secure the job may be a prelude to the chaos ahead. To win over his detractors, McCarthy had to agree to relinquish some of the very powers he’ll need to lead, and the deal means giving colleagues the ability to oust him as speaker with a vote. So in that regard, McCarthy emerges a weakened leader who might not be able to do much in the job or even keep it. But he’s also a survivor who’s seen as emboldened by his victory.
JANUARY 6, 2023, NOON UPDATE:
WASHINGTON (AP) — House leader Kevin McCarthy is getting closer to victory in the grueling, hard-fought struggle to become speaker of the new Congress. On the fourth day of voting (Jan. 6, 2023), 14 of the 20 conservative holdouts switched to him. McCarthy told reporters as he arrived at the Capitol, “We’re going to shock you.” The new effort is taking place against the backdrop of the second anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.
JANUARY 6, 2023, UPDATE:
WASHINGTON (AP) — The contours of a deal that could make Republican leader Kevin McCarthy the House speaker have begun to emerge. The House returns Friday (Jan. 6, 2023) to try again to end the stalemate over choosing a speaker after days of voting with no conclusion. McCarthy is determined to win over enough fellow Republicans. McCarthy has offered the conservative holdouts rule changes to give them more power to shape legislation and to boot him from office. So far, 11 roll call votes have failed to elect a speaker. The impasse has left the House unable to fully form and govern. Members voted late Thursday to adjourn, returning Friday.
JANUARY 6, 2023:
WASHINGTON (AP) — What others see as dysfunction and chaos, many of Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s opponents see as democracy at work. Some of the roughly 20 Republicans declining to vote for McCarthy as the next House speaker are depicting their work as a historic effort to re-tip the balance of power in Washington. The holdouts appeared to relish the fight as voting continued for a third day Thursday (Jan. 5, 2023). Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado rejects the notion the House is engulfed in chaos and dysfunction, saying it’s actually “a really beautiful thing.” Rep. Matt Rosendale of Montana says the debate is “healthy.” The House will be back at it Friday.
JANUARY 5, 2023, UPDATE:
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House stalemate over choosing a new speaker is continuing for an excruciating third day of voting with no end in sight. Party leader Kevin McCarthy is determined to win over enough fellow Republicans, but he failed again on Thursday (Jan. 5, 2023). The standoff is between McCarthy and 20 conservative colleagues who are withholding the support the California Republican needs. So far, eight roll call votes have failed to elect a speaker. The impasse has left the House unable to fully form and govern. McCarthy’s conservative detractors appear intent on waiting him out, as long as it takes.
JANUARY 5, 2023:
WASHINGTON (AP) — Pressure is building on Kevin McCarthy to determine whether or not he can win over enough fellow Republicans to become House speaker. Thursday (Jan. 5, 2023) is Day 3 of the standoff between McCarthy and 20 colleagues withholding the support the California Republican needs for the job. So far, six votes have failed to elect a speaker. The impasse has left the House unable to fully form and govern. McCarthy said after a round of late talks Wednesday that progress is being made. But Colorado Republican Ken Buck has told the GOP leader to “figure out” the path forward. McCarthy’s right-flank detractors appear intent on waiting him out, as long as it takes.
JANUARY 4, 2023:
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans are plowing through the second day of the new Congress, with no clear off-ramp from their political chaos over electing a new speaker. Republican leader Kevin McCarthy failed anew to win the House speakership in two votes, faring no better than he had in three votes Tuesday (Jan. 3, 2023) when 20 fellow Republicans rejected his bid. Former President Donald Trump vigorously renewed his support for McCarthy, but it made no difference. And an outspoken conservative Republican said Trump should tell McCarthy to drop out. The chamber’s most conservative members believe he’s neither conservative enough nor tough enough to battle Democrats.
JANUARY 3, 2023, UPDATE:
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican leader Kevin McCarthy is falling far short in voting to become House speaker. House Republicans fell into disarray on the opening day of the new Congress (Jan. 3, 2023), refusing by more than a dozen votes to elect McCarthy in multiple rounds. McCarthy is fighting to become speaker as his party takes slim control of the chamber. The mood was tense as voting by all House members left McCarthy well short of the majority he needed. McCarthy was battling right-flank conservatives who refuse to give him their votes. The showdown was in stark contrast to the other side of the U.S. Capitol, where Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell was set to become the longest-serving party leader. Democrat Chuck Schumer will remain majority leader.
JANUARY 3, 2023, UPDATE:
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican leader Kevin McCarthy has fallen short in first-round voting to become House speaker. House Republicans fell into a tangle on the opening day of the new Congress. McCarthy is fighting to become speaker as his party takes slim control of the chamber. The mood was tense as voting by all 434 House members left McCarthy well short of the majority he needed. McCarthy was battling right-flank conservatives who refuse to give him their votes. The showdown could devolve into a prolonged floor fight. It’s in stark contrast to the other side of the U.S. Capitol, where Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell was set to become the longest-serving party leader. Democrat Chuck Schumer will remain majority leader.
JANUARY 3, 2023:
WASHINGTON (AP) — The new Congress opens with House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy grasping for his political survival. McCarthy could become the first nominee for speaker in 100 years to fail to win support from his own colleagues in the first round of voting. The Tuesday (Jan. 3, 2023) showdown could very well devolve into a prolonged floor fight. Some Republicans worry about a spectacle that divides the party when they’d rather be focused on their priorities, including investigating President Joe Biden’s administration. It’s in stark contrast with the other side of the Capitol, where Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell is set to become the longest-serving party leader.
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