The United States House of Representatives has adjourned for a second day without a speaker, as Republican leader Kevin McCarthy continued to fall short of the majority he needs to preside over the chamber.
In the sixth round of voting on Wednesday, far-right opposition to McCarthy persisted, setting up the prospect of a prolonged crisis in Congress as the House will remain practically paralyzed if a speaker is not chosen.
McCarthy needed 218 votes to claim the gavel. But in three ballots on Wednesday, he only received 201, with 20 far-right Republicans backing Congressman Byron Donalds and one voting “present” as a sign of protest. Democrats remained united behind their nominee, Hakeem Jeffries, who got 212 votes.
Wednesday’s results did not bring McCarthy closer to the majority. In fact, he received one fewer vote than in the final ballot a day earlier.
The House voted to adjourn after its third attempt to elect a speaker failed on Wednesday. The ballot was its sixth vote overall.
McCarthy called for the break after late-night closed door discussions failed to produce a deal, saying “people need to work a little more”.
“I don’t think a vote tonight would make any difference,” he said. “But a vote in the future could.”
When the House returns at noon on Thursday, it will hold a seventh round of votes for speaker.
The last time the House required more than one vote to appoint a speaker was a century ago, in 1923.
Source: Al-Jazeera
