US Congress: Still No “Speaker” Elected by Republicans, Paralysis Continues

A new day without “dynamics”. The US House of Representatives had to decide to postpone its debate until Thursday, as disagreements in the ranks of the Republicans have not yet allowed a new president to be elected to the lower house of Congress.

Republican Kevin McCarthy, eager to replace Nancy Pelosi in office, is holding on to the favor of about twenty elected Trumpists who accuse him of being too moderate and deliberately ruining the sport. Members of the most conservative section of the party, they use the very weak Republican majority they won in the November midterm elections to set their terms. And without their support, Kevin McCarthy will not be elected.

No reliable competitor

A member of the Republican General Staff for more than 10 years, however, he has already agreed to many of the demands of this group, while not allowing the situation to be unblocked. Worse, opposition to his candidacy seemed to have crystallized. America needs “a new face, a new vision, a new leadership,” Texas’ exuberant elected representative Chip Roy said Wednesday. However, California’s elected representative has no serious competitor. As a possible alternative, only the name of the band’s leader Steve Scalise is circulating, although his chances do not seem to be serious.

After six unsuccessful votes since Tuesday, the elected officials have agreed to suspend their debate until Thursday afternoon local time (6pm in France). A majority of 218 votes is required to elect the “Speaker”, the third most important figure in American politics after the President and Vice President. Kevin McCarthy has not yet managed to exceed 203 points.

On Wednesday morning, Donald Trump went out of control by calling on a group of freethinkers to follow the line. But the former president, whose reputation as a powerhouse has been under serious scrutiny in recent months, has also failed to convince them.

embarrassing situation”

Democratic President Joe Biden called the situation “embarrassing”, assuring that “the rest of the world” is closely watching the mess in Congress. However, a clash with the House of Representatives, certainly hostile but disorderly, could prove to be a political boon for the American president if he confirms his intention to run again in 2024 – a decision he must announce at the beginning of the year. .

Between smirks and applause for their fellow Republicans, elected Democrats in the House of Representatives watched the controversy with some amusement. Joe Biden’s party is rallying around the candidacy of leader Hakim Jeffreys, but the elected official also lacks the votes to be elected to the seat.

This blocking has very specific implications: without a president, elected officials cannot take the oath and therefore pass any bill. “We have a job we can’t do,” Republican-elect Mike Gallagher said. Republicans also fail to launch the numerous investigations they promised against Joe Biden.

Members of the House of Representatives will continue to vote until a President is elected. This was supposed to take several hours, but could stretch for several weeks: in 1856, the elected members of Congress agreed after only two months and 133 turns.