NY Congress members weigh in on failed speaker votes

Rep. McCarthy was blocked by 20 far-right GOP members, even after former President Donald Trump urged them to support McCarthy for speaker.

Rachel Yonkunas

Jan 4, 2023, 11:09 PM

Updated 721 days ago

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House Republicans still can't agree on who will become the next speaker of the House. The deadlock continued into a second day after Rep. Kevin McCarthy lost a sixth consecutive vote for speaker.
McCarthy was blocked by 20 far-right GOP members, even after former President Donald Trump urged them to support McCarthy for speaker.
A nominee needs 218 votes to win speakership, but that number could change if members withhold their votes. However, it is unlikely any Democrats will go that route.
"I believe if any of those members do that, the concessions would have to be extremely significant, but I don't believe that would happen on a member-to-member basis. That would have to happen under Democratic leadership," said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Despite another failed vote, most House Republicans are standing by their decision to support McCarthy. Rep. Andrew Garbarino, who represents New York's 2nd District, believes the stalemate is only a waiting game.
"I've spoken to Kevin multiple times. He's not going anywhere. When you have 222 members and 202 of them are firmly behind one person, that's usually when the other group backs down," said Garbarino.