Republican search for new US House leader returns to square one

[Dulcinea]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republicans, whose party infighting has paralyzed the U.S. House of Representatives for three weeks, will begin again on Monday to try to pick a new speaker to lead the chamber and address funding needs for Israel, Ukraine and the federal government.

Factional strife between right-wing hardliners and more mainstream Republicans led to the ouster of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Oct. 3 and derailed leadership bids by two would-be successors: No. 2 House Republican Steve Scalise and prominent conservative Jim Jordan.

The leadership vacuum has stymied congressional action as it faces a Nov. 17 deadline to avoid a government shutdown by extending federal agency funding, and a request from President Joe Biden to approve military aid for Israel and Ukraine.

"This is probably one of the most embarrassing things I've seen," House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, a Republican, told ABC's "This Week" on Sunday. "We're essentially shut down as a government."

https://news.yahoo.com/republican-search-us-house-leader-100343139.html?.tsrc=daily_mail&uh_test=0_00

[Walleye]

1. Now they are even outraged that their own behavior.

[IronLionZion]

2. Best option is for at least 5 GOP to vote for Hakeem Jeffries

so then Congress can get back to work.

[bucolic_frolic]

3. I notice Boobert and Marjorie Taylor Greene aren't working the phones

I thought the little dictators could accomplish anything

[4lbs]

10. With Boobert "working the phone", I'd be concerned she was really doing some sort of

sick phone sex thing, and checking online some OnlyFans link.


It seems her main claim to fame is being a vaping Miss Gropes-A-Lot now.

[AllaN01Bear]

4. this

The leadership vacuum has stymied congressional action as it faces a Nov. 17 deadline to avoid a government shutdown . doing it deliberatly.

[Kablooie]

5. With 9 candidates, how the hell do they get all Rs to back only one?

Seems it would be impossible with so many self righteous assholes who only want to tear the government down.

The only way they will ever get a speaker is if Democrats join in.
At some point some Rs will have to support who Democrats want if we are to get a functioning government again.

[CaptainTruth]

6. "prominent conservative Jim Jordan"?

Is conservative now synonymous with criminal?

Rhetorical question...

[SpankMe]

7. This means that a gov't shutdown is all but assured on Nov 17

Part of me is happy to see the Asshole Party ® in disarray. This will be helpful to Dems in near term elections.

But, I don't relish the thought of a federal gov't shutdown that would likely last through Christmas.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

8. Why the number 217?

Even more puzzled after reading this: https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/new-congress-sworn-in-2023/h_841543ba3d46ba5086d84a705d761310

"But McCarthy does not technically need 218 votes to become speaker. A majority of those present and voting is required to get the speakership, which is usually 218 lawmakers. But if enough people skip the vote or vote “present,” the number of votes required for a majority can drop."

Trying to imagine this in the horse and buggy days...

[peppertree]

9. They might as well elect Ted Nugent

It would at least be entertaining - and would show them up for what they really are.