The deadlock continues regarding the election of the new president of the House of Representatives in the USA as no white smoke came out even in the ninth vote.
Republicans remain divided and the 20 “rebels” refuse to support the party’s candidate, Kevin McCarthy, so there has not yet been a solution.
McCarthy received 200 votes (218 needed), Byron Donalds 17 and Kevin Hearn three. Due to the impasse, the 435-seat US House has become unable to even proceed with swearing in members, let alone convene, consider bills or scrutinize the administration of Democratic President Joe Biden.
Republicans secured a slim majority (222 to 212) after the midterm elections in November, so McCarthy cannot afford to lose the support of more than four Republicans when Democrats rally around their own nominee.
For a century now, the president of the House of Representatives has been elected on the first ballot. In 1923 nine laps were needed, while ten had been needed in 1859 and this record has been equaled today.
Source: RES-MPE
