Republican congressman Kevin McCarthy lost a historic 11th round of voting in his bid to become Speaker of the House on Thursday night, after his efforts to offer fresh concessions to members of his own party fell on deaf ears and the impasse in Washington rolled on for a third day. The Associated Press has the story:
McCarthy defeated in the 11th ballot for Speakership
Newslooks- CNN
Rep. Kevin McCarthy has suffered defeat in the 11th ballot for House speaker as 21 Republicans opposed his bid. He got only 200 votes.
The current bid for House leadership is now the longest speaker contest in 164 years.
A group of hardline Republicans have so far derailed McCarthy’s bid to become House speaker — even after McCarthy reportedly proposed major concessions late Wednesday.
No member of Congress can be sworn in until a House speaker is elected.
McCarthy currently huddled in speaker’s ceremonial office with key negotiators
Rep. Kevin McCarthy is currently huddled in the speaker’s ceremonial office, off the House floor, and was just joined by key negotiators: Rep. Byron Donalds, Rep. Tom Emmer and Rep. Chip Roy.
The three Republicans scrambled up to the second floor to meet McCarthy after a lengthy negotiating session in Emmer’s office with other lawmakers, where they were viewing an emerging written deal to break the stalemate over McCarthy’s speakership.
Lawmakers just started voting on an 11th speakership ballot.
McHenry says House is probably not going to adjourn any time soon
GOP Rep. Patrick McHenry, a key negotiator who is trying to lock in support for Rep. Kevin McCarthy for speaker, said the House is “probably not” going to adjourn any time soon.
But he expressed optimism about the state of the negotiations.
“Each meeting is more positive than the last. And that’s a very nice sign,” McHenry told reporters as he emerged from the GOP negotiating room.
“This is gonna be a nice evening eventually, just a question of when,” he said.
When asked if there was a deal physically on paper he quipped, “Yeah, no, we’re not quite digital yet.”
“What we want to do is have assurances on paper about what the process is and how to deliver these conservative reforms that I think the conference will appreciate and endorse,” he said.
GOP holdout says McCarthy deal includes changes sought by opponents
GOP Rep. Ralph Norman, one of the GOP holdouts voting against Rep. Kevin McCarthy, said that a deal that is in the works includes certain changes they are looking for.
“This is changes that we want,” Norman told CNN after viewing a deal in GOP Rep. Tom Emmer’s office.
Norman said the majority of the deal revolves around rule changes like a 72-hour rule to review bills, term limits, and open amendments.
The deal, he said, did not address committee assignments.
Norman added that he was not sure if there was enough support from lawmakers to adjourn the House tonight.
