(WASHINGTON) -- The Republican leadership deadlock in the House of Representatives comes on a second Wednesday after three failed votes to choose a president on Tuesday.
Until now, Republican leader Kevin McCarthy has been blocked by a small group of hardliners who demand concessions or alternative candidates.
The Chamber cannot conduct any other business — and members cannot be sworn in — until a speaker is chosen.
This is how the story unfolds. All Easter times:
January 4 at 9:38 pm EST
McCarthy seems relentless: 'Let's talk until we're done with this'
McCarthy walked out of the chamber after the adjournment to Wednesday night and - surrounded by a phalanx of security guards and a crowd of reporters - initially cracked jokes and criticized a reporter he has known for more than a decade. He apparently celebrated a GOP vote to adjourn the chamber after yet another day of unsuccessful attempts to elect him as president.
He also said "rolling votes" like those taking place since Tuesday were unproductive, instead touting closed-door evening talks as a way forward.
McCarthy asked reporter John Bresnahan: “Club for Growth – is this movement for you? Did you just see a plenary vote that the conference voted together?
McCarthy was referring to a just-announced deal between a political action committee allied with him and the Club for Growth, another leading conservative group.
Bresnahan jokingly responded to the successful postponement vote: "You are very proud of that."
"Hey, I crawl before I walk and I walk before I run, and I felt like we had a really good discussion," McCarthy said, adding, "I think you should measure to do this research." that discussions are going well, but that doesn't mean they're over. It has nothing to do with it. But it is only in this area.”
Another reporter asked, "What happens between now and noon tomorrow [when the house returns]?"
"Let's talk until we're done with this," McCarthy said.
Bresnahan asked if there would be elections tomorrow, to which McCarthy responded, "People know where everybody is. Those voices don't really change. So I want to say that's fine. I think these discussions help with that. I think looking at the vote here this perspective – people want to spend their time debating rather than sitting on the floor.”
A reporter asked if McCarthy had asked Byron Donalds, a Republican Party protest candidate, to step down. McCarthy said, "No. No."
- Trish Turner da ABC News
January 4 at 8:54 pm EST
House narrowly agrees to delay until Thursday after another day of failed voting
The adjournment motion, tabled shortly after the House of Representatives returned from its Wednesday afternoon recess, passed by just under 216 to 214. The House will return at noon Thursday, presumably for more speakers.
Republicans pushed for the postponement, while Democrats and four Republicans opposed, with some Democrats calling on the secretary to halt the vote while "no" votes were ahead.
The decision to end the night came after McCarthy held a closed meeting with critics who were trying to stop him from winning the speaker's gavel. The meeting yielded no agreement, but McCarthy said progress had been made.
The adjournment vote marked the culmination of a second day of historic failed speaker ballots - the first time in a century that it took more than one round to select a speaker.
January 4 at 8:20 pm EST
MEPs meet after afternoon break and try to postpone until Thursday
The parliamentarians met around 20:00 this Wednesday. in the House after the afternoon break and quickly started a vote to postpone it again until noon on Thursday.
The worker asked for a ballot and Democrats pushed for an individual vote count, which is underway.
The push for a delay comes after McCarthy said progress had been made in the group of GOP critics who blocked him from speaking, but that a firm agreement was not yet in place.
January 4th at 8:02 pm EST
McCarthy says the vote for the 7th President is not "productive" yet.
McCarthy walked out of a closed-door meeting during the House of Representatives' break on a speaker's vote on Wednesday, saying progress had been made but there was still no deal and he didn't think another vote on Wednesday night would be " productive".
McCarthy, the Republican leader, has so far been barred from speaking - now in six rounds of voting in two days - by 20 members of his party who repeatedly voted for other candidates.
“I think it's probably better to let people work on it more. I don't think voting tonight is productive. Let the people work a little harder," McCarthy said after leaving a meeting with critics trying to stop him from winning the presidency.
McCarthy said that while he didn't have a deal in hand after meeting the rebels, he insisted there was movement.
– Will Steakin, Interview with Gabe Ferris, ABC News
January 4 at 5:53 pm EST
Sources say House Republicans are debating the "nuclear option": Lowering the voting threshold to become president
As McCarthy's bid to become Speaker of the House continues to fail, some of his allies are pursuing a radical idea: lowering the threshold required to vote.
Under current house rules, a candidate needs an absolute majority of all voting members to be elected speaker. With 433 members voting so far - and one member voting "present", which does not affect the total - this means that McCarthy has repeatedly fallen far short of the 217 currently needed to win a majority.
However, the rules can be changed: by simple majority, the House can decide that a president is elected by majority, or who has the most votes when no one has a majority. This has happened before, but very rarely.
It was called the "nuclear option" because it would force anti-McCarthy voters to face a stark choice: vote for him or watch the election of Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries. After all, Jeffries has received 212 votes in all rounds so far, and the most McCarthy has received is 203.
But would these 20 renegade Republicans continue to vote against McCarthy if it resulted in the election of a Democratic president? Supporters of the option say the move would draw the attention of critics, forcing them to vote for McCarthy or take the blame for ceding control of the House to Democrats.
According to two of McCarthy's allies in the House of Representatives, the idea is being discussed among House Republicans. They believe Democrats would support the rule change.
However, an influential Republican voice told ABC News that he opposed the idea.
"I know it's an idea that's been floating around," new House Majority Leader Steve Scalise told R-La. "I would be against it."
He added, "I know Hakeem would like it, but I don't."
- ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl
January 4th at 5pm EST
President of the State in the House vote: "Democracy in action"
While the State Department doesn't often meddle in matters of domestic policy, President Ned Price addressed the commotion on Capitol Hill directly Wednesday afternoon and offered a more serene perspective than President Joe Biden had previously done.
Price was asked what message other countries around the world might take from the extended vote for Speaker of the House - the first in a century.
“Our message has never been that democracy is orderly or that democracy is perfect in terms of how it works. But what we see, what the world sees, is our democratic institutions in action," Price said. "You see our democracy in action."
“Democracy is not always free from complications. But ultimately, when processes are followed, institutions are respected, the result is one that everyone can support.”
Reporters asked Price whether the redundant and so far unsuccessful votes in the House of Representatives - which are keeping the chamber in limbo - could create the impression of an inefficient system of government and whether the speaker's first failed vote in 100 years was an indicator that the US democracy was weakening.
"Look, I'm not going to characterize the US political system," Price said. "All I will say is that there is a process being followed by elected legislators now. That in itself is a testament to how democracy works, even if that work has lasted a little longer than it has in the last 100 years or so."
- Shannon Crawford da ABC News
January 4 at 5:06 pm EST
Meet "The Most Famous Future Member of Congress"
ABC News' Jay O'Brien met Representative Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., during the sixth round of out-of-house voting for president — but Gomez wasn't alone.
He was holding, in a diaper, ABC News Live host Kyra Phillips, whom she called "probably the most famous future member of Congress."
Gomez brought her 4-month-old son, Hodge, to the polls on Tuesday and Wednesday; The baby photos were already making waves on social media.
"One of the things my wife and I wanted to do is make sure that, you know, he's kind and gets along with people and loves them," Gomez said. "So we started making sure he was used to it. And then he loved it. He loved being on the ground. Everyone smiled at him, played with him... And I think he got more voice votes than I did, maybe even Kevin McCarthy."
Gomez called her son "my legacy and I think all children are our legacy". So I realized I wanted to bring him down to the [house] floor so he could witness history but also realize that he's what we're fighting for. He represents the millions of children who don't have the privilege of being on the ground."
O'Brien commented on how well Hodge behaved in the busy Chamber. Hodge made no comment, but seemed to nod in response.
Referring to the news of the day, Gomez said he doesn't think Democrats will break ranks to vote for McCarthy, who has so far failed to unite a majority of the Republican Party to vote him for president.
January 4 at 4:36 pm EST
The house closes at 8 pm.
With the Republican conference still split between a pro-McCarthy majority and 20 anti-McCarthy members, the House of Representatives decided to adjourn until 8 pm.
Rep. Tom Cole's motion, R-Okla., passed by ballot, though Democrats appeared firmly opposed to the pause — but it did not require a recorded vote.
Shortly before the adjournment, McCarthy told reporters, "We'll take a break and then meet," when asked what's next after the failed sixth ballot.
January 4 at 4:21 pm EST
McCarthy loses speaker's voice for the sixth time
McCarthy failed to get enough votes to become the next Speaker of the House for the sixth time in two days.
The vote count for this round was unchanged from the previous two rounds: McCarthy won 201 votes, Democratic Representative Hakeem Jeffries won 212 votes, and Representative Byron Donalds, the incumbent candidate of the GOP protest against McCarthy, won 20 votes.
Republican Victoria Spartz of Indiana also voted "present" for the third time.
January 4 at 3:56 pm EST
McCarthy says: 'Let's break up... and then meet'
McCarthy is likely to continue talks through Wednesday night after two days of failed speaker votes, and ABC News has learned he is working to start talks to try to reach a deal with the Group of 20 that voted against him. .
The logistics of these talks have yet to be determined - and, according to people close to him, there is not a single leader of that group of 20.
When that will happen is not clear. Democrats and some Republicans have yet to adjourn the House of Representatives, which means they don't have the votes to delay and then proceed with negotiations.
During the sixth round of voting, which McCarthy was also expected to lose, he told reporters that "we'll break it off for a bit and then meet" when asked what's next. He did not elaborate.
The House adjourned on Tuesday afternoon after three rounds of voting for the day, and they may repeat that pattern on Wednesday.
McCarthy has already made some important concessions to his critics without gaining their support. He agreed to lower the threshold to five members to force a vote to remove the president - known as the motion to vacate the presidency.
Some anti-McCarthy members want that limit lowered to one member.
Others have said they want more accountability in the body tasked with placing members on committees — known as the Steering Committee — and have suggested giving more members of the House Freedom Caucus and Republican Study Committee specific seats on it.
McCarthy would probably only go along with this if he knew he would be able to deliver enough votes.
Former Representative Justin Amash, who left the Republican Party in 2019 and became the first congressman to call for Donald Trump's impeachment, is also present on the floor of the House of Representatives.
Speaking to reporters, he said he was here to stand as a candidate for a consensus speaker if necessary, and said he planned to speak with members about it. (This is a broad offer, although the speaker need not be a current member of Congress.)
-Katherine Faulders e Will Steakin da ABC News
January 4 at 4:01 pm EST
Perry is the latest McCarthy critic to nominate Donalds
Rep. Scott Perry, Republican, chairman of the Hardline House Freedom Caucus, nominated Rep. Byron Donalds, Republican of Florida, to speak in the sixth round of voting.
“He achieved a lot. He's a man of faith, a family man, a businessman...he comes from a tough school," Perry said. "He has a track record of getting things done. He's proven to be on the right side. He's respected. .You trust him.
Perry also attacked Republican leader McCarthy and his allies, who have suggested that the Californian is responsible for ushering in the new Republican majority.
“I think the person who has done the most to create this fabulous, wonderful Republican majority is President [Nancy] Pelosi and her politics. That's what this majority has achieved here," he said.
Donalds has received 20 Republican votes in each round so far. He initially voted for McCarthy in the early rounds, but changed his vote, saying McCarthy could not win.
January 4 at 4:32 pm EST
Cammack provokes Dem outrage after implying they brought booze to the floor
Comments by Republican Representative Kat Cammack suggesting that Democrats had brought alcohol into the chamber provoked a party outcry shortly before the start of the sixth round of voting for the speaker.
“Diversity of thought is a good thing. But they want us to be divided. They want us to fight each other. So much was clear from the popcorn, blankets and drinks that went there," she said of McCarthy's nomination.
Some Democrats shouted back, "Take her word for it!" - referring to a request to formally contest and then rebut her comment - and "make her apologize!"
Many members could also be heard reacting loudly, including shouting objections.
Secretary Cheryl Johnson then asked "all elected members to respect the decorum established by the House" when nominating candidates for the office of president.
January 4 at 3:22 pm EST
House establishes sixth vote: "It's Groundhog Day"
The Chamber of Deputies is going full steam ahead for the sixth round of voting on Wednesday.
"Well, it's Groundhog Day again," said Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Fla., as she began her nominating speech for McCarthy.
"To all the Americans watching right now, I want to say we heard you, we heard you," Cammack said. "And we're going to do this right. No matter how confusing this process is, we'll come out of it better for having gone through it, because nothing good comes easy."
New York Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries was again nominated by his party, with California Representative Pete Aguilar again speaking.
January 4 at 3:21 pm EST
Biden jokes reporter was just chosen to speak
President Joe Biden joked to a reporter outside Air Force One on Wednesday afternoon: "I have good news for you: They just elected you president."
But in a more substantive commentary, he reiterated his concerns about how the House of Representatives might operate in the face of Republican infighting.
"Well, obviously I am," he said when asked if he was worried about the house not working.
"I'm an embarrassment to the country. I mean literally ... that's the reality, it's embarrassing to have a convention that can't work," he said. “We are the greatest nation in the world, how can that be? And we've had a lot of trouble... with attacks on our institutions. And that worries me more than anything.”
-Sarah Kolinovsky will give ABC News
January 4 at 2:46 pm EST
McCarthy Loses Fifth Speaker Voice
McCarthy lost the fifth round of voting for speaker.
The vote count was the same as in the previous round: McCarthy received 201 votes, Democratic Representative Hakeem Jeffries received 212 votes, and Representative Byron Donalds, the youngest protest candidate from a faction of Republican lawmakers, received 20 votes.
Republican Victoria Spartz of Indiana again voted "present."
January 4 at 2:37 pm EST
Boebert tells McCarthy to back off
Representative Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., an ardent conservative and anti-McCarthy - in nominating Representative Byron Donalds in the fifth round of voting - told McCarthy that she did not have the votes to prevail and should back down.
She also said that former President Donald Trump, who supported McCarthy, should now urge McCarthy to end his candidacy as well.
"The President needs to tell Kevin McCarthy, Sir, you don't have the votes and it's time to retire."
Other members booed her as she finished her remarks.
January 4 at 1:58 pm EST
5th running poll
The House wasted no time in starting a fifth round of voting for president following the recent defeat of Kevin McCarthy.
Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, rose to nominate McCarthy shortly after the maid announced the vote count for the fourth round, in which McCarthy lost another supporter.
“Can we win once in a while? And give hope to the forgotten men and women of America who no longer believe in this place, the home of these people?” Davidson said.
Democratic Rep. Pete Aguilar reappointed Rep. Hakeem Jeffries. Republican Representative Lauren Boebert stood up to nominate Florida Representative Byron Donalds.
January 4th at 1:55 pm EST
Who is Byron Donalds, the latest candidate of the anti-McCarthy protest?
Florida Republican Representative Byron Donalds was nominated on Wednesday as the youngest protest candidate within the Republican Party, while leader Kevin McCarthy continues to fight to win a majority for the presidential election.
who is donald
Representative Chip Roy, who nominated Donalds, called him "a dear friend, a solid conservative and, above all, a family man".
The Donalds campaign staff described him as a "freedom-loving, pro-life, pro-Second Amendment Trump-supporting black man."
Roy noted in his nomination speech on Wednesday that, as the Democrats are also nominating their leader, Hakeem Jeffries, "for the first time in history, two black Americans have been nominated for the Speaker of the House nomination." This provoked a standing ovation in the hall.
Like Jeffries, Donalds grew up in Brooklyn but went to college in Florida, where he built a career in finance and insurance, according to his House biography.
He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2020 after serving as a state representative, and now represents Florida's 19th congressional district.
He and his wife have three children.
- Adam Carlson and Benjamin Siegel of ABC News
January 4 at 1:22 pm EST
McCarthy Gains No Support, Loses Speaker's Vote for Fourth Time
Kevin McCarthy added another defeat to his bid for Speaker of the House.
McCarthy received 201 votes in the fourth and final round, his lowest support yet. On Tuesday, he had 203 votes in the first two rounds, followed by 202 votes in the third round.
Meanwhile, Democratic Representative Hakeem Jeffries polled 212 votes in that round. Florida Representative Byron Donalds, nominated as McCarthy's alternative, received 20 votes.
One congresswoman, Republican Representative Victoria Spartz of Indiana, voted for attendance -- a departure from the previous three votes for McCarthy. The recent Spartz vote drew applause from McCarthy critics.
January 4th at 1:19 pm EST
McCarthy and Pelosi on today's vote as they walk the floor of the House of Representatives
Kevin McCarthy, arriving on the floor of the House of Representatives moments before what appeared to be another failed bid to be elected president, told reporters he was determined to win the gavel.
But no strategy has emerged yet. When asked how he got 218 votes today, he said, “Let's keep talking; Let's find an agreement where we'll all come together and work on it and get it done.
McCarthy shouldn't expect Democrats to come to the rescue, at least not according to former President Nancy Pelosi.
"It's a problem they created themselves," Pelosi told reporters.
“Don't put this on the Democrats' doorstep – this is their problem and their lack of respect for this institution; your lack of respect for the responsibility we all have to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States and do the work of the American people," Pelosi said as she stepped to the ground.
- Allison Pechorin from ABC News
January 4 at 12:55 pm EST
McCarthy looks poised for another loss as Donalds pick up critical votes
Rep. Byron Donalds already has 13 votes for president - apparently enough to defeat McCarthy's bid to be president for a fourth time.
Voting is ongoing and final results will be announced.
January 4 at 12:40 pm EST
Standing ovation from both sides on Donald's nomination
Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, noted that this is the first time two black Americans have been named as speakers.
His comments received a standing ovation from Republicans and Democrats alike.
"However... we don't try to judge people by the color of their skin, but by their character," Roy said after the applause died down. “Byron Donalds is a good man, raised by a single mother who overcame adversity, became a Christian at age 21, and has dedicated his life to furthering the cause of his family and this country. And he did it admirably.”
Democrats nominated New York Representative Hakeem Jeffries, who has already made history as the first black person elected to lead a party in Congress. He will serve as leader of the Democratic Group for the next two years.
The fourth speaker poll is in progress.
January 4 at 11:08 am EST
GOP leadership in talks will be delayed after House of Representatives meeting at noon
The Republican leadership is in talks to adjourn the House of Representatives shortly after it meets at noon to resume voting for the president, sources familiar with the discussions told ABC News.
Some of Kevin McCarthy's allies have been pushing for a delay so they can continue talking behind the scenes.
The House of Representatives closed on Tuesday after three rounds of failed votes to elect McCarthy.
It is not yet clear whether there will be objections to a delay. There was no roll call vote in the House of Representatives' adjournment on Tuesday, but any member can request one.
If there is a roll call vote, which is likely, it will take 218 votes to close the House.
-ABC News Congressional Correspondente Rachel Scott, Katherine Faulders e Will Steakin
January 4 at 11:14 am EST
Biden calls GOP battle for speaker post 'embarrassing'
Asked about the Republican Party deadlock in the House on his way out of the White House, President Joe Biden said the election of a speaker "wasn't a good sight" for the rest of the world.
"That's not my problem," Biden told reporters. "I find it a little embarrassing that it's taking so long and how they treat each other. And the rest of the world is watching, they're looking to see if we can pull it together."
"For the first time in 100 years, we cannot move," he later added. "It doesn't look good, it doesn't feel good. This is the United States of America and I hope they get their act together."
Biden was on track to highlight improvements to a bridge linking Cincinnati and Covington, Kentucky, to join Republican Senate President Mitch McConnell of Kentucky to campaign for an investment under the bipartisan infrastructure bill.
January 4 at 10:44 am EST
McCarthy arrives at the Capitol: 'I think we're going to make it to 218'
Republican leader Kevin McCarthy arrived on Capitol Hill moments ago and took over as Speaker of the House, although he is still fighting for the votes to take office. McCarthy's opponent, Representative Matt Gaetz, called him an "invader" in office.
McCarthy and his security rushed past a swarm of reporters and photographers who raced up the stairs in pursuit.
When asked by ABC News Congressional Correspondent Rachel Scott if he had made any progress, McCarthy said, "I think we'll get to 218."
When asked by another reporter about the game's schedule, he replied, "Like yesterday."
January 4 at 10:48 am EST
Trump reiterates confirmation of McCarthy as speaker
Former President Donald Trump again urged Republicans to support McCarthy as the House remains without a speaker and Republicans appear confused.
"We had some really great conversations last night and now it's time for all of our GREAT Republican House members to VOTE FOR KEVIN, DO THE DEAL, WIN..." Trump posted on Truth Social this morning. "Kevin McCarthy will do a good job, and maybe even a GREAT JOB - JUST WATCH!"
The post follows McCarthy, who told reporters on Tuesday night that the former president had reiterated his support for him. In an earlier interview with NBC News, Trump declined to say whether he supports McCarthy.
Among the Republicans who did not vote for McCarthy are some of Trump's closest supporters in Congress, including Representative Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., and Matt Gaetz, R-Fla.
It's been nearly two years since McCarthy said in the House of Representatives that Trump "assumed responsibility" for the "attack on Congress by Mafia Protesters" on Jan. to see Trump. later.
January 3 at 9:36 pm EST
Speaker voting is expected to continue on Wednesday
A fourth round of voting for Speaker of the House of Representatives will certainly continue after the House reconvenes at 12:00 pm on Wednesday.
The elected members suspended until then just before 6 pm. After three ballots on Tuesday, no speaker could be elected.
Republicans, who hold the majority, did not support their elected leader, McCarthy, as about 20 lawmakers chose other candidates.
Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, leaving the House floor Tuesday morning, told reporters the conference wanted to be unified so it could begin long-promised investigations.
He said he didn't want to be the speaker, despite the support of some McCarthy defectors - he said he wanted to chair the Judiciary Committee.
January 3 at 5:46 pm EST
Frustration mounted when voting ended
House lawmakers held off until Tuesday as some of them grew uneasy after three rounds of unsuccessful ballots for a new president.
During the third ballot, signs of frustration mounted when MP Bill Huizenga, R-Mich., said he supports McCarthy "because I'm interested in governing".
The vote took place because the legislators had family and friends in the city and it was unclear at the time how far the vote would go.
McCarthy promised to continue voting until there was a speaker, but the motion to adjourn passed just before 6:00 pm. met little opposition.
- Will Steakin e Benjamin Siegel da ABC News
January 3 at 5:35 pm EST
The Chamber adjourns, will resume on Wednesday
The House voted overwhelmingly to adjourn late Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday noon after a ballot accepted a motion by Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla
That decision came after three unsuccessful rounds in which no elected members were selected to speak, including McCarthy.
It is the first time in a century that the election of the president has taken several rounds.
January 3 at 5:39 pm EST
McCarthy Defector Calls for "Huddle" to Clean Up Speaker's Vote
Representative Byron Donalds, Republican of Florida, who changed his vote for president in the third round, said on social media that "continuous voting does not work".
Donalds supported McCarthy in the first two rounds of voting, but later switched to Representative Jim Jordan, R-Ohio. Taking to Twitter, Donalds indicated that he doesn't think McCarthy has the backing to become a speaker.
"Our conference needs to take a break and come together and find someone or work out next steps...but these continuing votes don't work for anyone," Donalds wrote.
"When the dust settles we will have a Republican speaker, now is the time for our conference to debate and reach consensus."
"Democracy is confusing at times, but we will be ready to govern on behalf of the American people. Debate is healthy," he added.
January 3 at 5:07 pm EST
McCarthy loses a supporter — and the third round of speaker voting
On the third ballot, 20 Republican lawmakers voted against McCarthy as speaker - the most to date. Those votes went to Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio.
In the first two rounds, 19 Republicans voted for another candidate. Representative Byron Donalds, Republican of Florida, voted twice for McCarthy before switching his vote to Jordan.
McCarthy received 202 votes in the last round, trailing Democrat Hakeem Jeffries for the third time. Democrats have already elected Jeffries as his party's leader in the new Congress.
January 3 at 4:33 pm EST
McCarthy to ABC: 'Your Secret Candidate Nominated Me'
"We're staying until we win," McCarthy said as he returned to the back of the house before the third round.
After speaking with Congressmen Jim Jordan, Steve Scalise, Patrick McHenry and a few others, McCarthy told ABC News on his way back that the extended vote was exactly what he had hoped for.
“This is not about me; this is about the conference now,” he said.
“If somebody wants to win something, committee seats or something like that, you go through the conference for that. You can't take advantage of people. It just doesn't happen," she added.
McCarthy denied showing any progress during the afternoon.
“They put [Rep.] Jim Jordan [as a speaker candidate]. Remember how everyone said they had a secret candidate. Your secret candidate referred me, so where are you going now?”
-Katherine Faulders e Allison Pecorin da ABC News
January 3 at 4:34 pm EST
McCarthy gets a new defect on the third ballot
Representative Byron Donalds, Republican of Florida, switched his vote to speaker after voting for McCarthy in the first two rounds.
Donalds, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, supported Representative Jim Jordan on the third ballot. If all candidates who voted for Jordan on the second ballot do so again, the Ohioan gets at least 20 votes.
January 3 at 4:37 pm EST
The historic vote of the 3rd speaker in the Chamber of Deputies is underway
Before the House of Representatives launched a third vote for the Speaker position, Representative Pete Aguilar reappointed Representative Hakeem Jeffries to the Democrats, prompting chants of "Hakeem" from his side of the chamber as Republicans remain in disarray.
“For the unity of Congress and the progress of our country, Democrats are united by Hakeem Jeffries. I recommend Hakeem Jeffries as our speaker," said Aguilar to applause.
Texas Representative Chip Roy reappointed Ohio Representative Jim Jordan, although Jordan lost on previous ballots. He said he didn't want the job and urged Republicans to rally behind McCarthy.
"Now Jim has said he doesn't want that nomination, and Jim was here to nominate Kevin and I respect that. Again, I don't have any personal animosity toward Kevin," Roy said. “But we still don't have the tools or the leadership to stop the swamp from descending on the American people. Jim did it, he has a history of doing it, and for those reasons I am nominating Jim Jordan for Speaker of the House.
January 3 at 4:15 pm EST
Scalise says McCarthy critics are obstructing legislation
Representative Steve Scalise, R-La., McCarthy's No. 2, criticized McCarthy's critics for blocking legislative efforts to address issues such as immigration and energy reserves.
“We all come here to do things. To achieve great things. To solve the problems. And I hope that if we get through today, all members on both sides of the aisle will come together to resolve this," he said of McCarthy's nomination ahead of the third round of voting.
However, he said, "We can't solve these problems until Kevin McCarthy is elected president."
Scalese's speech came after Jordan nominated McCarthy. Both men were touted as possible alternatives should McCarthy fail to secure the majority needed for the office of president.
January 3rd at 4pm EST
Scalise appears to be drafting McCarthy's nomination speech
ABC News' Ben Siegel spotted Steve Scalise on the House floor, appearing to be writing a nominating speech for Kevin McCarthy.
That would mark another turning point as Republicans are still struggling to ally themselves with a single candidate.
January 3 at 3:58 pm EST
White House ready to work with GOP on new Congress, but avoids tense leadership races
After two failed Capitol Hill votes to select a Speaker of the House, the White House said it "certainly will not interfere with this process," but will
"I look forward to working" with the new Republican-controlled House of Representatives.
When asked by ABC News White House correspondent Mary Bruce what the president plans to work with Republicans once the GOP leadership is in office, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre did not provide Details. order of the day.
"He is willing to work with Republicans who want to continue working for the American people," she said. "He is very optimistic about what is to come and how we will take our country forward."
And when asked whether it might be harder to work with Republicans after the ongoing leadership battle, Jean-Pierre echoed President Joe Biden's optimism and pointed to the bipartisan legislation passed in its first two years.
- Justin Gomez da ABC News
January 3 at 3:31 pm EST
Jordan says he told Gaetz not to appoint him as speaker
Immediately after Representative Jim Jordan spoke on the House floor after the first vote - to support McCarthy in the next round - Representative Matt Gaetz turned the tables and enthusiastically nominated Jordan for speaker.
But Jordan later told ABC News that he told Matt Gaetz not to nominate him. Jordan would receive 19 votes on the second ballot.
Gaetz said weeks ago that he thinks Jordan would be a good choice as a speaker.
- Will Steakin e Katherine Faulders, da ABC News
January 3 at 3:27 pm EST
McCarthy loses second ballot as 19 Republicans vote in Jordan
Kevin McCarthy fell short of the votes needed to be elected Speaker of the House of Representatives for a second time.
Once again, 19 Republicans voted against McCarthy - this time unanimously supporting Ohio Representative Jim Jordan.
Jordan urged his peers to support McCarthy when he nominated the California congressman to speak. But Representative Matt Gaetz stood up to nominate Jordan, calling him "the most talented and hard-working member of the Republican conference."
The vote in the Chamber of Deputies was identical to that of the first round: McCarthy again won 203 votes against 212 votes for Democrat Hakeem Jeffries.
January 3 at 2:45 pm EST
Jordan wins enough votes to deny McCarthy the presidency on second ballot
Enough Republicans have already voted for Jordan McCarthy to retain the presidency on a second ballot.
Shortly after Jordan stood to reappoint McCarthy before the second ballot began, nine Republicans endorsed the Ohioan before the vote count reached halfway through the alphabet.
Jordan managed to knock out several Republicans who opposed McCarthy on the first ballot but did not vote for him, including Biggs, who voted for himself on the first ballot.
January 3 at 2:31 pm EST
Gaetz appoints Jordan after Jordan urged his peers to support McCarthy
After Ohio Representative Jim Jordan took the floor to encourage Republicans to support Representative Kevin McCarthy as speaker, Representative Matt Gaetz rose to nominate Jordan for the position.
"I rise to name the most talented and hardworking member of the Republican conference who just delivered a speech with more vision than we've ever heard from the alternative," said the Florida congressman.
“Jim Jordan is humble. Perhaps today, too humble,” continued Gaetz. "Maybe the right person for Speaker of the House is not someone who wants it so badly. Maybe the person who is right for Speaker of the House is not someone who sold shares of himself for over a decade to get it. "
On the first ballot, Jordan received six votes.
January 3 at 2:28 pm EST
Jim Jordan nominates McCarthy on 2nd ballot
After receiving six own votes in the first round, Representative Jim Jordan nominated Kevin McCarthy for Speaker of the House in the second round.
"I rise to nominate Kevin McCarthy for Speaker of the House," Jordan said, to applause from several Republican members.
“We need to rally around him, unite and look at these three things, because that's what people sent us here for,” he added, reviewing Republican priorities in the new Congress.
"We owe it to you to reach out to the American people, the good people of this great country, to come together and elect a speaker so we can address these three things. I hope they vote for Kevin McCarthy, which is why I'm proud to nominate him. for Speaker of the House," said Jordan.
Meanwhile, Rep. Bob Good, one of the original "Never Kevin" members, said in the House that he plans to vote for Jordan on the second ballot, despite Jordan's plea to support McCarthy -- and hopes other critics will do the same.
- Will Steakin da ABC News
January 3 at 2:20 pm EST
'The optics are terrible': ABC News' Jonathan Karl on the struggle of Republican broadcasters
ABC News Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl intervened after the first vote for Speaker of the House.
Representative Kevin McCarthy fell well short of the majority needed to win office. He received 203 votes, while Democrat Hakeem Jeffries received 212. Nineteen lawmakers voted for someone else.
"The optics for the Republicans are dire," Karl told ABC's David Muir after the vote.
“They took control, narrowly won control of the House, and [in] Act One of this Republican House, more votes went to the Liberal Democrat candidate for President than Kevin McCarthy. Think about it, David,” Karl said.
January 3 at 2:13 pm EST
McCarthy to ABC News: Vote for him 'exactly what we thought'
McCarthy told ABC News after leaving the house that the recent vote against him was "exactly what we had in mind."
McCarthy added that this vote could last for days and that "we have a number of members trying to fight for their own personal belongings" instead of the country.
When asked how he could convince the large number of members who voted against him to vote for others, McCarthy said he had to convince them that "they don't get hammers trying to vote for someone else". I don't know. I don't think their constituents chose that."
- Will Steakin da ABC News
January 3 at 1:54 pm EST
McCarthy falls short of first speaker vote
After the first round of voting, no member received the 218 votes needed to become Speaker of the House, but Democrat Hakeem Jeffries won more votes than Kevin McCarthy - on the first day of a new Republican-controlled House of Representatives.
Jeffries received 212 votes to McCarthy's 203. Arizona far-right Republican Andy Biggs received 10 votes, and there were nine votes for others, including six for Representative Jim Jordan and, surprisingly, Representative Chip Roy of Texas voted for Florida's Byron Donalds.
Nineteen Republicans split from McCarthy, who could only lose four, in a stunning 15-vote defeat. Despite having a majority in that Congress, McCarthy received fewer votes this time around than the last time he ran against Nancy Pelosi.
For the first time since 1923 - and the first time since the sessions were televised - the speaker's voice appears to be heading for a second ballot.
While McCarthy has signaled he's ready for more rounds of voting, he faces a major hurdle on a second ballot with so many lawmakers to win -- and the potential for Republicans to elect another member as the No. 2 Steve Scalise nominee.
January 3 at 1:37 pm EST
McCarthy receives a standing ovation after voting for himself
After stepping up to vote for himself, Kevin McCarthy smiled as he received applause from his GOP supporters - even though it looked like he might lose the first ballot for president.
McCarthy faced enough defectors in his conference — with a few votes for Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona or Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio — that they probably wouldn't get what they wanted on the first count.
But the swift standing ovation for McCarthy was an indication of both the support he still has in the House-Republican conference and the challenges of a narrow Republican majority in the House.
January 3 at 1:41 pm EST
Looks like McCarthy won't get votes on the first ballot to be elected
Most House Republicans cheered when Rep. Elise Stefanik nominated Kevin McCarthy — but more than a dozen, most of whom were seated along the center aisle in the penultimate row of the chamber, sat hand in hand. The applause for McCarthy was barely thunderous.
And with each vote against McCarthy, the murmur in the House increased, as it also became clearer that McCarthy would not have the first-round votes to be elected president.
In contrast, Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., received a standing ovation as he nominated Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-NY. As the applause subsided, Aguilar declared, "Today the House Democrats stand united"—which led to an even louder and sustained round of applause from the Democrats—while McCarthy sat across the aisle silent and impassive.
When McCarthy entered the back chamber through the center door about 15 minutes ago, he did so silently and with little fanfare. Most of the people on the ground didn't seem to notice. He walked down to the area in front of the clerk before anyone went to speak to him, and it was an associate of Representative Tom Cole, R-Okla.
-Jonathan Karl, Chefkorrespondente da ABC News em Washington
January 3rd at 1pm EST
tense voting begins
A tense roll call vote for speaker begins.
In alphabetical order, members are invited to say out loud who they choose to speak.
-Benjamin Siegel of ABC News
January 3rd at 12:53 pm EST
Aguilar Declares Democrats "United" in Support of Hakeem Jeffries
Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-California, nominated Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, New York, as House Minority Leader.
Jeffries made history as the first black leader to be elected leader of a faction in Congress. He was elected by Democrats in late November after Representative Nancy Pelosi announced that she was stepping down.
"Today, ma'am, House Democrats are united by an orator who puts people above politics," explained Aguilar, an apparent taunt to Republicans as the party struggles to unite around an orator candidate.
“Hakeem Jeffries has spent his life working to improve economic opportunity for all people. He is committed to strengthening the American Dream by lowering the costs of working families, building safer communities, taking the weapons of war off the streets and creating high-paying jobs in the industries of the future.”
“He doesn't negotiate with extremism,” Aguilar continued. "He is not cowering or apologizing for an alleged twice-indicted former president. Madam Clerk, he does not bow to anyone who tries to undermine our democracy because, Madam Clerk, that is not what leaders do."
Jeffries and Pelosi greeted each other at home on Tuesday morning.
January 3 at 12:46 pm EST
Stefanik introduces McCarthy as Republican speaker nominee
Representative Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., introduced Kevin McCarthy on the House floor as the GOP candidate for President.
Stefanik, a McCarthy ally, praised the Californian's efforts to bolster Republican ranks in the House by campaigning for multiple candidates from coast to coast.
"Since the day Kevin was elected our president, House Republicans have won and won seats," she said. "Kevin knows what we stand for, he knows when to step in and he knows how to build consensus."
"Their tireless efforts resulted in an extraordinary Republican majority in the House of Representatives," he added. "Today's House Republican conference is the most diverse Republican conference in our nation's history."
And while his rant focused primarily on building McCarthy, Stefanik was also critical of his critics, boasting that "Kevin McCarthy deserves this speaking position at 'House of the People'."
January 3rd at 12:44 pm EST
Magnetometers removed at house chamber entrances
Prior to the election of the president, magnetometers that were placed outside the House chamber after the January 6 attack on the US Capitol were removed, as requested by the new majority of the Republican Party.
The new house rules proposed by the GOP required magnetometers to be removed.
-Katherine Faulders, Will Steakin e Nicole Moeder da ABC News
January 3 at 12:33 pm EST
VP Kamala Harris sworn in new senators
As House Republicans enter the 118th Congress in confusion over who will hold the speaker's gavel, the Democrat-controlled Senate opened with Vice President Kamala Harris swearing in new members and those who were re-elected in November.
New faces on the chamber include John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Katie Britt of Alabama and Eric Schmitt of Missouri.
Mark Kelly of Arizona and Raphael Warnock of Georgia were sworn in for their first full six-year terms.
Despite losing their majority in the House of Representatives, the Democrats extended their Senate lead by one seat.
January 3 at 10:39 am EST
McCarthy tells Republicans 'I deserved this job': source
In a closed meeting of House Republicans, Kevin McCarthy made a closing remark to a speaker.
"I'm not leaving. I'm staying until the last four friends are with me," he told GOP members, according to a source in the room.
"I won this job," McCarthy said. "We deserve that majority and damn it, we're going to win it today."
January 3 at 10:33 am EST
Deputy-elect George Santos arrives near the office of the Chamber of Deputies
Representative-elect George Santos, who faced controversy and national attention for lying or embellishing details of his past, was spotted by reporters in Congress early on Tuesday.
Santos was walking towards his office in the Longworth House Office Building, accompanied by an employee, when he stopped and turned the other way when he saw the reporters.
He declined to answer most questions, but told Lalee Ibssa of ABC News that he would vote for Kevin McCarthy to speak.
Santos has been blamed by some Republicans, but not by the current House Republican leadership. He said he will fulfill his term in the Chamber of Deputies.
New members of the House of Representatives are not sworn in until a President is elected.
- Hannah Demissie, Lalee Ibssa and Oren Oppenheim of ABC News
January 3 at 10:20 am EST
McCarthy ready to fight for speaker's gavel, sources say
As Republicans huddled behind closed doors ahead of the speaker vote, it appeared that Kevin McCarthy still lacked the necessary votes for his election.
Sources close to the Republican leader say he is ready to fight. There can be multiple rounds of voting - something that hasn't happened in 100 years - and ground combat can drag on for hours, if not days. The longest battle for President took place in 1856 and took two months and 133 votes to resolve.
Rep. Matt Gaetz, who opposes McCarthy's proposal, warned: "We could see the cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C. bloom before a speaker is elected."
All of this casts a shadow over the start of the new Congress, where Republicans will have a majority in the House of Representatives for the first time since 2018.
-Rachel Scott da ABC News
January 3 at 9:43 am EST
McCarthy arrives at GOP meeting: 'Let's have a good day'
Representative McCarthy arrived for a closed meeting with his Republicans.
"We're going to have a good day today," McCarthy said as he walked past reporters who asked if he had any votes for president.
The California congressman then laughed when a reporter asked if he would support Congressman Steve Scalise as speaker if he didn't get enough votes.
January 3 at 9:42 am EST
The "Follow Kevin McCarthy" sign was posted outside the President's office
Hours before the vote to elect a new Speaker of the House, a sign appeared outside the President's office that reads, "Follow Kevin McCarthy."
McCarthy wanted to drum up more support for his candidacy as a speaker at a closed-door meeting with the Republican caucus this morning. He faces opposition from a group of hardline conservatives who may make his second attempt to hold the gavel.
The California congressman's belongings have been moved to the speaker's suite, but if he doesn't get enough votes, he will have to move.
January 3 at 8:52 am EST
GOP Conference will hold last-minute meetings before speaker voting
The conference of House Republicans will be held behind closed doors at 9:30 am, just hours before the speaker's vote begins at 12:00 pm.
While McCarthy may garner more support in a last-minute appeal, his critics boast they will be able to muster the necessary opposition to block his bid.
Rep. Scott Perry, the House Freedom Caucus leader who leads the group of hardline conservatives opposing McCarthy's bid, released a new statement Tuesday morning attacking the California congressman.
"In his 14 years as Republican leader, McCarthy has repeatedly failed to demonstrate a desire to make lasting changes to the status quo in Washington," Perry said.
January 3 at 8:36 am EST
McCarthy's rise from California politician to Republican Party leader
Kevin McCarthy began his career as an associate of then Representative Bill Thomas before serving as president of the California Young Republicans and later the Young Republican National Federation.
He was first elected to office in 2002 and served in the California State Assembly until 2007, when he was elected to the US House of Representatives. At the time, he was described as one of the "young guns" of the next generation of conservative leadership.
McCarthy tried to become a spokesperson in 2015, but his chance faded after fellow opposition conservatives tried to block his path on Tuesday. When Democrats took control of the House of Representatives in 2018, McCarthy was elected House Minority Leader.
January 3 at 8:26 am EST
McCarthy's candidacy for president is unclear as the new Congress is about to begin
Representative Kevin McCarthy's candidacy to become the next Speaker of the House is still shrouded in uncertainty as lawmakers head to Capitol Hill for the first day of the 118th Congress.
McCarthy and his team spent Monday putting together the president's cabinet, but he may have to strip himself of his belongings if he doesn't get the votes he needs to secure the job.
A few dozen members crowded into McCarthy's office on Monday to discuss last-minute strategy. ABC News identified three critics of McCarthy during the afternoon meeting: Representatives Matt Gaetz, Lauren Boebert and Scott Perry.
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a McCarthy supporter, told ABC News Congressional Correspondent Rachel Scott: "The problem is people need to see the art of the deal. You are all Trump supporters and you cannot succeed unless who are willing to take the wins when they get them,” when asked about those in his party trying to overturn McCarthy's offer.
Rep. Jim Jordan, whose name has been circulating as a potential speaker candidate, said he believed McCarthy "can get there."
However, McCarthy did not directly respond to reporter questions about how the vote would go, telling them, "I hope everyone has a happy new year," as he left the Capitol on Monday night.
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