Electing a new speaker of the House of Representatives is supposed to be a ceremonial, drama-free affair. Instead, it has descended into a game of political chicken as a mutiny inside the Republican Party plays out on the floor of US Congress.
Who will hold the powerful position, which is second in the presidential line of succession, is usually decided well before it goes to a vote. But the House has reached a stalemate, with Republican leader Kevin McCarthy — the man who was all but a shoo-in for the job — failing to secure enough votes to claim the gavel. He is the first nominee in a century to lose in a first-round ballot. So far, he has also been unable to win in a further two rounds.
The Californian, who has openly coveted the influential job for much of his career, has been humiliated at the hands of hardline conservatives within his own party. Even with the endorsement of former president Donald Trump, McCarthy was unable to win over the core group of detractors who say they are finished with the “status quo” they claim he represents.
The rebellion from the right sought to leverage Republicans’ razor-thin majority for influence, resulting in a scuffle that’s brought American government to a standstill. Voting has already dragged on for hours, leaving McCarthy seriously weakened regardless of the outcome.
And the chaos on day one of the 118th Congress has prompted major questions about the party’s ability to govern after winning back control of the chamber.
R&I-Rawr
Klapaucius
Article URL : https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-04/how-the-chaotic-vote-for-kevin-mccarthy-as-speaker-went-wrong/101825254