Day 3. Vote 7. Still no Speaker.
According to a Fox News report, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) once again failed to lockdown the necessary 218 votes to grab the gavel on Thursday afternoon; he was nominated by freshman Rep.-elect John James of Michigan.
From Fox News:
Kevin McCarthy on Thursday once more found himself on pace to fall short of the 218 votes he needs to become the next House speaker.
As the seventh vote on the House floor continued, five Republicans had voted for an alternate candidate, Rep.-elect Byron Donalds, R-Fla., and more were expected. McCarthy can only afford to lose four votes as Republicans hold a narrow 222-212 majority.
McCarthy predicted before the third day of voting began that Thursday’s votes would be “pretty much” the same as they’ve been so far. “Nothing is agreed to until everything is agreed to. I wouldn’t read anything into the votes today,” he said.
McCarthy was nominated by freshman Rep.-elect John James of Michigan, who said the issues that divide Republicans today are not as significant as those that divided lawmakers the last time a speaker vote went this long, in 1856.
“The leading Republican nominee won then, and the leading Republican nominee will win again today,” he said. James said Republicans will work to reduce the size of government, push for U.S. energy independence and secure the border, but said that can’t happen until a speaker is chosen.
This story is developing…
BREAKING NEWS: McCarthy appears to lose 7th speaker ballot despite offering more concessions to defectors https://t.co/Bi7WlALKb6
— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 5, 2023
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