WASHINGTON—The House of Representatives adjourned Tuesday without a new speaker after GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy lost three straight ballots in the face of hardline opposition, the first time in a century the usually pro-forma process has taken more than one vote.
The last time the vote for a new speaker went past the first ballot was 100 years ago, in 1923. The loss underscores how Republican infighting between moderates and hardliners will complicate the GOP's majority in the House of Representatives.
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Here’s what could happen next:
- Members will continue to vote— again and again. The House has adjourned for now, but will be back tomorrow. The vote could last for days, weeks or months until a speaker candidate receives enough votes. This leaves the House paralyzed with no member sworn in, no rules adopted and no legislative business conducted.
- McCarthy could drop out of the race for speaker, leaving an opening for another Republican to win the speakership. As of Tuesday afternoon, no McCarthy challengers have come close to gaining enough votes to win the speakership.
- As a last resort, lawmakers could adopt a resolution that would elect a speaker by a plurality or by rank-choice voting instead of a simple majority.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/poli...944392002/