Weakened Kevin McCarthy Still Likely To Become Speaker Today
Much last-minute drama, but it's unclear whether it will affect the outcome.
Insurrectionist Scott Perry should be in prison, not dictating the direction of his caucus. But that's today's Republican party! Via the Washington Post:
Today, House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) appeared to remain short of the votes he would need to become House speaker. In a fresh blow, hours before the new House was set to convene, Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.), chairman of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus, said that McCarthy had refused to accept a series of demands that would allow him to become speaker. Five other GOP members have also signaled they will oppose McCarthy’s election.
Andy Biggs, also an insurrectionist, via the New York Times:
“McCarthy has gone into total bargaining mode to acquire last-minute votes for House speaker. There are no principles anymore,” said Representative Andy Biggs of Arizona, who is running as a protest candidate but has little chance of drawing the support needed to win. “It’s become a take-whatever-you-need motto. This is what a McCarthy speakership would look like.”
If Mr. McCarthy is unable to win the support he needs on the first ballot, lawmakers would take successive votes until he or a different nominee secured enough supporters to prevail. No speaker election has gone to multiple ballots since 1923, but Mr. McCarthy has vowed to fight for the job on the House floor until the very end.
Steve Scalise, who still hasn't admitted Biden won the election, was the gold standard for right-wing whack jobs for a long time. He seems to believe he'll be the next speaker.
Who knows what will happen? All of these Republicans are crazy, shameless, and bad for America.