Array
Republicans are returning to the Capitol Wednesday to do what they couldn’t do Tuesday: elect a new speaker of the House.
GOP leader Kevin McCarthy failed to secure enough votes from his political party to win the gavel, denied the 218 votes he needed by a cadre of Republican hard-liners in three separate ballots. It was the first time in a century that a speaker was not elected on the first round.
A group of up to 20 conservatives is determined to oppose McCarthy, and the end game remains unclear. Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan has emerged as a GOP rival, having drawn the complete support of the anti-McCarthy caucus. But he says he doesn’t want the job and continues to support McCarthy.
Former President Donald Trump weighed in early Wednesday, calling on his party to vote for McCarthy.
Day One:House adjourns without a new speaker as McCarthy loses three rounds of voting: live updates
What now?: What happens after McCarthy loses speaker vote three times? Here’s how the process works.
Here’s the latest:Trump calls for members to vote for McCarthy
In a new Truth Social post Wednesday morning, Former President Donald Trump called on Republican House members to support Kevin McCarthy.
“Vote for Kevin, close the deal, take the victory,” Trump said in all caps.
He urged Republicans: “Do not turn a great triumph into a giant & embarrassing defeat.”
Trump said it’s time to celebrate, seemingly referring to the GOP’s four-vote majority in the House.
“Kevin McCarthy will do a good job, and maybe even a great job – just watch!” he said in closing.
McCarthy’s most fervent opponents are some of Trump’s biggest supporters.
