A motion to adjourn until 8 p.m. passed by voice vote on Wednesday, putting a pause on the second day of voting for the speaker of the House.
Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) was again blocked from becoming speaker on the sixth ballot by 20 Republican lawmakers, who rallied behind Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) as an alternative. Negotiations will continue for the next several hours before the lower chamber reconvenes.
HOUSE REPUBLICANS FRITTER AWAY NEGOTIATING LEVERAGE VERSUS DEMOCRATS WITH SPEAKER FIGHT
Donalds was the new nominee for the group of detractors, who on Tuesday had coalesced around Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH). Jordan repeatedly said he didn’t want to be speaker and voted for McCarthy. Donalds voted for himself, and Reps. Chip Roy (R-TX), Lauren Boebert (R-CO), and Scott Perry (R-PA) gave nominating speeches on his behalf before the three votes.
Democrats continued to vote solely for incoming Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), and Democratic leaders said they hope Republicans resolved the chaos on their side of the aisle so they could begin legislative business.
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Tensions increased throughout the day, with order becoming harder to maintain on the floor during nominating speeches. McCarthy still hasn’t signaled any intention of backing down.
