The process of electing the speaker for the U.S. House of Representatives unfolded in historic fashion today.
Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the favorite to attain the position, failed on three ballots to gain the 218 votes needed to be elected.
On today’s third ballot, 20 Republicans had thrown their support behind Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio with 202 voting for McCarthy. All 212 Democrats voted for Hakeem Jeffries of New York.
It was the first time in 100 years the vote went to multiple ballots. The last time was in 1923, when Frederick Gillett, R-Mass., won re-election on the ninth ballot.
Meanwhile, some Republicans are mulling consequences for those who voted against McCarthy. One such Republican was Alabama Rep. Mike Rogers of Saks.
According to one news source, Rogers “promised” to remove Republican representatives from their respective committees if they voted against McCarthy.
Reps. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville), Jerry Carl (R-Mobile), Gary Palmer (R-Hoover), Barry Moore (R-Enterprise), and Rep.-elect Dale Strong (R-Huntsville) voted for McCarthy in all three votes.
Moore was the only congressman out of the group who was open to the idea of the possibility of another candidate for speaker, at the beginning of the process.
Strong, at one time, also seemed open to another candidate if one was presented.
“I share the concerns of North Alabamians about how the House has been run in recent years, but at this time there is no other alternative,” he said.
However, in all three votes, Alabama’s Republican congressmen voted for McCarthy.
The House moved to adjourn until noon EST Wednesday. It will begin the voting process for speaker because House rules require lawmakers to keep holding votes for speaker until someone secures 218 votes or a simple majority of members voting.
No other House business can occur until a speaker is selected, which means floor votes, committee hearings and other congressional work – including swearing in new members, including Strong – cannot be held until the GOP elects its leader.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.
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