The hard-pressed GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA) has lost the vote for House Speaker a tenth time Thursday as some conservatives back other candidates.
Prospects for the longtime member of GOP leadership are looking dim. McCarthy lost his 10th vote for Speaker of the House, with no signs pointing to a victory anytime soon.
The stalemate is historical; this is the first time since 1859 that more than nine votes have been held in order to fill the position.
Some conservatives have alleged that McCarthy is so desperate for the position that he is now holding talks with Democrats to make a potential deal selecting a “consensus candidate.” McCarthy previously promised he would not seek Democrat votes and has since reneged on his word, according to Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL).
“Another day, another lie from Kevin McCarthy,” Gaetz posted online. “Just weeks ago, Kevin McCarthy promised me and the entire House Republican caucus that he wouldn’t seek Democrat votes to secure the Speakership.”
Gaetz additionally noted that McCarthy’s people allegedly said such a situation would be a “doomsday scenario.”
Another day, another lie from Kevin McCarthy.
Just weeks ago, Kevin McCarthy promised me and the entire House Republican caucus that he wouldn’t seek Democrat votes to secure the Speakership.
In fact his people said it was a “doomsday scenario” if this were to happen. pic.twitter.com/nUQhmmKT12
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) January 4, 2023
Delays caused by GOP holdouts have brought great frustration to some Republicans. One segment seen on Fox News Wednesday featured a tense exchange between show host Sean Hannity and Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) over her refusal to back McCarthy.
Conservative activist “ALX” posted a video of the segment online, opining, “Hannity is insufferable.”
Hannity is insufferable.@LaurenBoebert: “I will not withdraw” 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Cbmq17VSNz
— ALX 🇺🇸 (@alx) January 5, 2023
Earlier that day, other options for House Speaker were proposed, including the nomination of Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) by Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX).
“There’s an important reason for nominating Byron. And that is, this country needs a change. This country needs leadership that does not reflect this city, this town, that is badly broken,” Texas Rep. Chip Roy said when nominating Donalds. “We’re not at the place where we need to be to guarantee that we stand up to the swamp that steps over the American people on a daily basis.”
@Chiproytx nominates Byron Donalds for Speaker. McCarthy has once again failed to achieve the needed votes. #TheGreatAmericaShow pic.twitter.com/Aug1lmeDlf
— Lou Dobbs (@LouDobbs) January 4, 2023
When speaking on McCarthy’s repeatedly failing bids for speaker, Donalds allegedly commented, “We knew Kevin was short. It’s been like two months. Bro, you got to close the deal. You had two months. And so, at this point now, if you can’t close it, we gotta find who can.”
Some GOP members have argued that the entire display serves as an embarrassment for Republicans and that only McCarthy will be able to secure the needed 218 votes.
“I am a retired Navy SEAL enlisted guy. I’ll let you in on a few universal truths. Rocks are heavy. Trees are made of wood. Gravity is real. No other Republican can pull 218,” incoming Wisconsin Rep. Derrick Van Orden reportedly told the Daily Caller.
Others argue that McCarthy’s failure to secure the required support for 10 elections and counting appears to demonstrate otherwise.
