HAPPENING TODAY: Uncertainty, drama on Capitol Hill as 118th Congress begins
McCarthy's path to speakership is unclear
Ordinarily, the first day of a new Congress is like the first day of elementary school: an uneventful day where the new students all get to know each other and learn their way around the building.
But the start of the 118th Congress on Tuesday is looking like it will be quite the opposite. House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy is looking to finally achieve his life’s goal of becoming Speaker of the House, but a handful of hardline conservatives in the GOP caucus appear to be standing in between the California Republican and the speaker’s gavel.
These far-right members are seeking a ton of concessions from McCarthy in exchange for their vote. Their demands are said to include certain committee assignments, term limits legislation and even the power to oust the speaker at any time.
A disappointing performance in the midterms left Republicans with 222 seats in the 435-member chamber, meaning McCarthy only has a handful of votes to spare. Reports indicate that as many as 20 Republicans could vote against him on the House floor. 218 votes — an outright majority, are needed to become Speaker of the House.
Things got very heated (and profane) in the final GOP caucus meeting before the vote. McCarthy grew angry with some of his detractors and pleaded with them that he “earned this job.”
At one point, McCarthy said that he has given in to all of his detractors’ demands. To which Colorado Republican Lauren Boebert responded: “bullshit,” according to sources who were inside the meeting.
McCarthy has said that he will not go down without a fight, even if he fails to secure a majority on the first ballot. It has been a century since the last time the House failed to elect a speaker on the first ballot, and the constitution prohibits the House from carrying out its official duties until a speaker is elected.
Some McCarthy allies have suggested that his opponents should be stripped of committee assignments. McCarthy himself appeared to suggest that those opposing him are anti-American, saying in a gaggle with reporters that his main priority is putting the American people first, “not a few individuals who want something for themselves.”
The House is expected to begin the vote for speaker at noon on Tuesday.