For the first time in a century, the election of a new speaker of the House could require a second round of voting as turmoil surrounds speaker candidate Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s bid to replace exiting Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
McCarthy (R-CA) won 85% of the vote in a primary designed to provide direction in the selection process for the next speaker. However, in recent weeks more conservative members of the caucus have expressed reservations.
Over Christmas weekend, influential congressman Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) recommended his peers cast their votes for Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH).
During Tuesday morning meetings in advance of today’s key vote, which Fox News depicted as “very hostile,” Rep Lauren Boebert (R-CO) was caught on a hot mic stating that McCarthy’s strategy for unifying the party and moving forward as Speaker was “bulls***!”
Fox News reported that Boebert uttered her comment as McCarthy attempted to assuage the party’s conservative members and secure their support.
The outlet added that Boebert’s comments were “not yelled or said into a microphone,” as some alleged.
In December, McCarthy announced he had the votes to cinch the coveted speaker of the House position.
McCarthy failed to receive the necessary 218 votes to become speaker of the House in the first round of voting. The House of Representatives leadership election process will now move to a second round of ballots for the first time since 1923.
Nineteen Republicans voted for a candidate other than McCarthy.
Scroll down to leave a comment and share your thoughts.
