Republicans Applaud Themselves For Barely Managing To Nominate A Fourth Candidate

October 24, 2023
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 24: U.S. House Republicans applaud Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) after he was elected as the Republican House speaker nominee during a GOP conference meeting in the Longworth House Office Building... WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 24: U.S. House Republicans applaud Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) after he was elected as the Republican House speaker nominee during a GOP conference meeting in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill on October 24, 2023 in Washington, DC. The conference was meeting in a closed-door session to select a successor to ousted Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), who was removed on October 4 in a move led by a small group of conservative members of his own party. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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October 24, 2023

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) lasted about four hours as the House Republican nominee for speaker Tuesday before he dropped out of the race, dramatically exiting the Republican conference meeting and leaving the building without saying a word to reporters. His bid never made it to a floor vote.

Hours later House Republicans gathered again to do another round of speakership nomination votes to attempt to select a speaker-designate. After three rounds of votes, Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) was nominated for the speakership. But not without a minor mutiny. 43 members of the conference voted for ousted-Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). One person voted for Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH). Neither of them were on the ballot.

The conference immediately launched into a roll call vote after naming Johnson nominee. While it appears no one in the room voted against Johnson, there were about 20 members absent from the internal roll call. Nevertheless, Republicans invited reporters into the room shortly after the vote and bragged about the fact that they are finally “ready to govern.” A floor vote is expected on Johnson’s nomination Wednesday.

Emine Yücel was on Capitol Hill all day Tuesday, with an assist from editor Nicole Lafond. Catch up on our live coverage below:

More Less

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) lasted about four hours as the House Republican nominee for speaker Tuesday before he dropped out of the race, dramatically exiting the Republican conference meeting and leaving the building without saying a word to reporters. His bid never made it to a floor vote.

Hours later House Republicans gathered again to do another round of speakership nomination votes to attempt to select a speaker-designate. After three rounds of votes, Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) was nominated for the speakership. But not without a minor mutiny. 43 members of the conference voted for ousted-Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). One person voted for Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH). Neither of them were on the ballot.

The conference immediately launched into a roll call vote after naming Johnson nominee. While it appears no one in the room voted against Johnson, there were about 20 members absent from the internal roll call. Nevertheless, Republicans invited reporters into the room shortly after the vote and bragged about the fact that they are finally “ready to govern.” A floor vote is expected on Johnson’s nomination Wednesday.

Emine Yücel was on Capitol Hill all day Tuesday, with an assist from editor Nicole Lafond. Catch up on our live coverage below:

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Notable Replies

  1. Avatar for jw1 jw1 says:

    Into the meat-grinder they go…

  2. Just saw that Sessions is the first loser. Per NBC

  3. Marjorie Taylor Greene is a vulgarian amongst other vulgarians.

  4. Avatar for Punchy Punchy says:

    five lawmakers voted for people who did not make a bid

    This would appear to be a big deal…this says there’s (at least) 5 who will refuse to go along with the others. One more and all of a sudden 217 is impossible.

  5. Bergman is the second one gone.

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