Buckle up for what could be a long day on the House floor—or maybe not. At noon, the House will start voting on who will be the next Speaker. That could be decided today—or not, depending on how deep and how serious the opposition to Rep. Kevin McCarthy has become. They keep on voting until they get someone elected, and no other business can happen until that person is seated.
There’s plenty of background on the fight here, along with how the process will go. You can watch on C-SPAN and follow along here.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 8:29:31 PM +00:00 · Barbara Morrill
Continuing live coverage of Kevin McCarthy’s humiliating day can be found here.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 8:11:55 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
While we’re watching all this, here’s something to debate in comments: was Jordan in on this theater or not? He’s repeatedly said he had no interesting in doing the Speaker job, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t interested in making life a little hellish for McCarthy.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 8:05:48 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
All the kids you see are there as part of the first day tradition of having family around for the first day, for the swearing in photos and such. These kids might not be enjoying the process at the moment, but they’re part of history. Pathetic, embarrassing history, but history nonetheless.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 8:03:10 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
We’re now up to 16 votes for Jordan. McCarthy’s not on target to lose more votes than the first round, but he’s lost the second round soundly.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 7:38:56 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
So Jordan had enough votes to lock out McCarthy on this round before they even got to the Ds in the alphabet. He’s now at 7 votes.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 7:32:47 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
The Biggs votes from last round are voting for Jordan—just four of them so far, but it does seem this might have been their play.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 7:28:31 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
And we go to our second round. BTW, remember how the Republicans have been promising for weeks that they had a surprise special guest star nominee that they’d spring at the last minute? Looks like it’s . . . Jordan.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 7:26:15 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
And now Gaetz nominates Jordan. That’s one of the operating theories here—the rebels coalesce behind Jordan to try to peel even more votes away from McCarthy. They want to have McCarthy lose even more votes on this round.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 7:24:12 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Aguilar again nominate Jeffries, with a few digs at both Jordan and McCarthy.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 7:22:55 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 7:20:21 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Jordan laying the Freedom Caucus shit on thick trying to get everyone on board. Trying to make this about the Dem Senate and President Biden. “We have to do the oversight and the investigations done.” Uh huh.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 7:17:49 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
The clerk makes the tally official, calls for a second round, and Jordan stands to make the second nomination of McCarthy.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 7:15:04 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
The Clerk is back in place. It looks like a number of members have left the floor, but McCarthy has stayed put, part of his strategy to project strength or some damn thing.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 7:11:26 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 7:08:52 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Update on that first round count, as a few stragglers came in—it’s McCarthy 203, Jeffries 212, and 19 other.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 7:07:39 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
There’s a rumor that Jordan will be nominating McCarthy for the next ballot to get those people who voted for him on McCarthy’s side. That would not be enough votes—he needs to flip 15 of the 19.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 7:05:21 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 7:04:33 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Still milling around while we all wait to see what happens next. Jordan seem prepared to make some kind of motion.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 6:50:46 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Lots of milling around while they figure out what happens next. This is the first time in 100 years that a speaker wasn’t chosen in the first round.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 6:44:11 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
First round done, McCarthy has 202, Jeffries 211, Biggs 10 and various other Rs 9.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 6:38:54 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
McCarthy’s lost 19 votes so far. And, yes, Jeffries has more votes than him.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 6:37:35 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Freshman Keith Self, Texas, votes for Jordan. It’s interesting to see the newbies who are willing to stick their necks out against McCarthy. Jordan, by the way, has no interest in this job. He just wants his Judiciary chairmanship where he can yell at people all the time.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 6:19:48 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
This is fun. He won’t get 218, so it doesn’t count for real, but it’s still significant.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 6:15:53 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Jeffries gets a standing ovation again when his turn comes up to vote for himself.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 6:12:57 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Now that we know it’s going to a second ballot, people are speculating what happens when they finish this round. Will someone try to adjourn the House? Will they try to change the rules on the fly? Right now, there are no rules—that doesn’t get done until there’s a Speaker. It would take a majority to do any of that.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 6:08:52 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Matt Gaetz (R-FL) votes for Biggs
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 6:05:44 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
And Clyde GA votes for Biggs. Crane AZ votes for Biggs.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 6:01:36 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Michael Cloud from Texas just voted for Jordan, so we’re going to a second ballot.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 5:58:20 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Incoming R Justin Brecheen (OK) voted for Jim Banks. McCarthy can get 218 w/out them, but can’t lose anyone else.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 5:56:18 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Boebert votes for Jim Jordan.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 5:55:52 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
And Bishop of NC just voted for Biggs.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 5:55:30 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Biggs just voted for himself, the first R defection.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 5:50:24 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Okay, now it’s Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), the guy who is so awful his entire family cut TV ads begging voters to reject him. He nominates Andy Biggs, also of Arizona and supposedly Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s BFF in the delegation.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 5:48:31 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
“A Latino is nominating a Black man for Speaker in the first time in our history,” Aguilar says. That is hugely significant, and a huge contrast from the the circus we see on the other side.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 5:46:52 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 5:44:55 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Aguilar really rubbing it in: "He does not grovel to, or make excuses for a twice-impeached former president...He does not bend the knee to anyone who would seek to undermine our democracy.”
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 5:41:34 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Now Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA) nominates Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries. Who’s getting a much bigger ovation than McCarthy got. “Today, House Democrats are UNITED!,” Aguilar starts. And the Democrats erupt in joy.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 5:38:33 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Stefanik is really piling it on for McCarthy. She even talked about how wonderful Bakersfield, CA is. Shameless liar.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 5:34:54 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) nominates McCarthy. People clap.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 5:33:51 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
For now, a Black woman is in charge. Cheryl Johnson is the House Clerk, who runs things until there’s a Speaker. Maybe they could just let her keep it.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 5:28:53 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Ok, 434 are present so the show is about to start. They are missing one, Rep. Don McEachin (D-VA) who passed away last month.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 5:21:57 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Still in the live quorum call. The real Speaker, Nancy Pelosi is resplendent in fuschia, having a pretty good time in the well of the chamber, and Hakeem Jeffries is enjoying the congratulations of his colleagues.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 5:09:53 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Here we go. What they’re doing right now is a quorum call where they just say, basically “here” with their voting cards.
There’s plenty of background on the fight here, along with how the process will go. You can watch on C-SPAN and follow along here.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 8:29:31 PM +00:00 · Barbara Morrill
Continuing live coverage of Kevin McCarthy’s humiliating day can be found here.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 8:11:55 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
While we’re watching all this, here’s something to debate in comments: was Jordan in on this theater or not? He’s repeatedly said he had no interesting in doing the Speaker job, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t interested in making life a little hellish for McCarthy.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 8:05:48 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
All the kids you see are there as part of the first day tradition of having family around for the first day, for the swearing in photos and such. These kids might not be enjoying the process at the moment, but they’re part of history. Pathetic, embarrassing history, but history nonetheless.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 8:03:10 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
We’re now up to 16 votes for Jordan. McCarthy’s not on target to lose more votes than the first round, but he’s lost the second round soundly.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 7:38:56 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
So Jordan had enough votes to lock out McCarthy on this round before they even got to the Ds in the alphabet. He’s now at 7 votes.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 7:32:47 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
The Biggs votes from last round are voting for Jordan—just four of them so far, but it does seem this might have been their play.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 7:28:31 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
And we go to our second round. BTW, remember how the Republicans have been promising for weeks that they had a surprise special guest star nominee that they’d spring at the last minute? Looks like it’s . . . Jordan.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 7:26:15 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
And now Gaetz nominates Jordan. That’s one of the operating theories here—the rebels coalesce behind Jordan to try to peel even more votes away from McCarthy. They want to have McCarthy lose even more votes on this round.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 7:24:12 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Aguilar again nominate Jeffries, with a few digs at both Jordan and McCarthy.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 7:22:55 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 7:20:21 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Jordan laying the Freedom Caucus shit on thick trying to get everyone on board. Trying to make this about the Dem Senate and President Biden. “We have to do the oversight and the investigations done.” Uh huh.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 7:17:49 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
The clerk makes the tally official, calls for a second round, and Jordan stands to make the second nomination of McCarthy.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 7:15:04 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
The Clerk is back in place. It looks like a number of members have left the floor, but McCarthy has stayed put, part of his strategy to project strength or some damn thing.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 7:11:26 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 7:08:52 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Update on that first round count, as a few stragglers came in—it’s McCarthy 203, Jeffries 212, and 19 other.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 7:07:39 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
There’s a rumor that Jordan will be nominating McCarthy for the next ballot to get those people who voted for him on McCarthy’s side. That would not be enough votes—he needs to flip 15 of the 19.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 7:05:21 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 7:04:33 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Still milling around while we all wait to see what happens next. Jordan seem prepared to make some kind of motion.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 6:50:46 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Lots of milling around while they figure out what happens next. This is the first time in 100 years that a speaker wasn’t chosen in the first round.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 6:44:11 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
First round done, McCarthy has 202, Jeffries 211, Biggs 10 and various other Rs 9.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 6:38:54 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
McCarthy’s lost 19 votes so far. And, yes, Jeffries has more votes than him.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 6:37:35 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Freshman Keith Self, Texas, votes for Jordan. It’s interesting to see the newbies who are willing to stick their necks out against McCarthy. Jordan, by the way, has no interest in this job. He just wants his Judiciary chairmanship where he can yell at people all the time.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 6:19:48 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
This is fun. He won’t get 218, so it doesn’t count for real, but it’s still significant.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 6:15:53 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Jeffries gets a standing ovation again when his turn comes up to vote for himself.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 6:12:57 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Now that we know it’s going to a second ballot, people are speculating what happens when they finish this round. Will someone try to adjourn the House? Will they try to change the rules on the fly? Right now, there are no rules—that doesn’t get done until there’s a Speaker. It would take a majority to do any of that.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 6:08:52 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Matt Gaetz (R-FL) votes for Biggs
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 6:05:44 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
And Clyde GA votes for Biggs. Crane AZ votes for Biggs.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 6:01:36 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Michael Cloud from Texas just voted for Jordan, so we’re going to a second ballot.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 5:58:20 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Incoming R Justin Brecheen (OK) voted for Jim Banks. McCarthy can get 218 w/out them, but can’t lose anyone else.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 5:56:18 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Boebert votes for Jim Jordan.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 5:55:52 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
And Bishop of NC just voted for Biggs.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 5:55:30 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Biggs just voted for himself, the first R defection.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 5:50:24 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Okay, now it’s Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), the guy who is so awful his entire family cut TV ads begging voters to reject him. He nominates Andy Biggs, also of Arizona and supposedly Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s BFF in the delegation.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 5:48:31 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
“A Latino is nominating a Black man for Speaker in the first time in our history,” Aguilar says. That is hugely significant, and a huge contrast from the the circus we see on the other side.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 5:46:52 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 5:44:55 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Aguilar really rubbing it in: "He does not grovel to, or make excuses for a twice-impeached former president...He does not bend the knee to anyone who would seek to undermine our democracy.”
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 5:41:34 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Now Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA) nominates Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries. Who’s getting a much bigger ovation than McCarthy got. “Today, House Democrats are UNITED!,” Aguilar starts. And the Democrats erupt in joy.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 5:38:33 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Stefanik is really piling it on for McCarthy. She even talked about how wonderful Bakersfield, CA is. Shameless liar.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 5:34:54 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) nominates McCarthy. People clap.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 5:33:51 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
For now, a Black woman is in charge. Cheryl Johnson is the House Clerk, who runs things until there’s a Speaker. Maybe they could just let her keep it.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 5:28:53 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Ok, 434 are present so the show is about to start. They are missing one, Rep. Don McEachin (D-VA) who passed away last month.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 5:21:57 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Still in the live quorum call. The real Speaker, Nancy Pelosi is resplendent in fuschia, having a pretty good time in the well of the chamber, and Hakeem Jeffries is enjoying the congratulations of his colleagues.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023 · 5:09:53 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter
Here we go. What they’re doing right now is a quorum call where they just say, basically “here” with their voting cards.