House Vote for Speaker: What to Know
The House of Representatives is set to vote for speaker on Tuesday, October 18, 2023, after the chamber ousted Kevin McCarthy from the top spot on October 3. The vote comes amid a deep split within the Republican Party, with a group of far-right lawmakers opposing McCarthy and other Republicans scrambling to find a consensus candidate.
How the vote for speaker works
The speaker of the House is the leader of the House of Representatives and the third-highest-ranking official in the United States government, after the president and vice president. The speaker is elected by a majority vote of the full House, which means that a candidate must receive at least 218 votes to win.
If no candidate receives a majority of votes on the first ballot, the House will continue to vote until a candidate does win. In the event of a tie, the speaker is chosen by a lottery.
The candidates
The Republican Party has nominated Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio as its candidate for speaker. Jordan is a close ally of former President Donald Trump and is known for his conservative views. He is also a member of the House Freedom Caucus, a group of far-right Republicans.
However, Jordan is facing opposition from some Republicans, who are concerned about his lack of experience in leadership positions. Jordan has also been criticized for his role in the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol.
Other potential candidates for speaker include Reps. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, Elise Stefanik of New York, and Kevin Brady of Texas. However, it is unclear whether any of these candidates will have the support of the Republican Party as a whole.
The stakes
The vote for speaker is a high-stakes affair, as the speaker has broad powers to set the agenda for the House and control the flow of legislation. The speaker also plays a key role in nominating members to House committees and subcommittees.
If Jordan is elected speaker, it would be a major victory for the far-right wing of the Republican Party. It would also signal a shift in the direction of the House, as Jordan is likely to focus on issues such as immigration, gun control, and abortion.
If a more moderate Republican is elected speaker, it would be a sign that the party is trying to unite after a tumultuous period. It would also suggest that the House is more likely to take a bipartisan approach to legislation.
Conclusion
The vote for speaker is a closely watched event that will have a major impact on the direction of the House of Representatives. The outcome of the vote is uncertain, but it is clear that the stakes are high.
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Additional details
- The Republican Party currently has a 222-212 majority in the House of Representatives. This means that Jordan can only lose a few GOP votes to win the speakership.
- The group of far-right Republicans who oppose McCarthy have been critical of his leadership and his willingness to work with Democrats. They have also accused him of not being conservative enough.
- Some moderate Republicans are concerned that Jordan’s election as speaker would further divide the Republican Party and make it more difficult to pass legislation.
- If no Republican candidate can win a majority of votes on the first ballot, the House could vote to adjourn for a period of time to allow the parties to negotiate. However, this would be a highly unusual move.
Possible outcomes
- Jordan is elected speaker. This would be a victory for the far-right wing of the Republican Party and would signal a shift in the direction of the House.
- A more moderate Republican is elected speaker. This would suggest that the Republican Party is trying to unite after a tumultuous period and that the House is more likely to take a bipartisan approach to legislation.
- The House adjourns without electing a speaker. This would be a highly unusual move and would likely lead to further gridlock in Congress.
Impact on the Biden administration
The election of a new speaker will have a significant impact on the Biden administration. The speaker is responsible for setting the agenda for the House and controlling the flow of legislation. If Jordan is elected speaker, he is likely to block many of Biden’s legislative priorities. This could make it difficult for Biden to advance his agenda and could lead to further gridlock in Congress.
Conclusion
The vote for speaker is a closely watched event that will have a major impact on the direction of the House of Representatives and the Biden administration. The outcome of the vote is uncertain, but it is clear that the stakes are high.