WASHINGTON (7News) — Members of Congress are now voting to possibly elect a new speaker of the House.
A House that has been without the position that is second in line to succeed the president, since Oct. 3. Rep. Kevin McCarthy was ousted in a 216-210 vote, with eight Republicans joining Democrats in voting to remove him. It is the first time in history that a sitting speaker was removed.
A candidate needs a majority of the House to become speaker, which in this case is 217 votes. It’s unclear if the favorite, Rep. Jim Jordan has that right now since there are two vacancies.
In the moments ahead of Tuesday’s vote, Republican House members loudly cheered for Rep. Jordan’s nomination, at one point drowning out another Representative trying to endorse him.
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SEE ALSO | Republicans want to see House colleagues end ‘chaos’ and elect a new speaker
7News reached out to U.S. representatives here in the DMV — Republicans and Democrats alike. Congressman Gerry Connolly was the only one who was able to sit down with us and he did not mince words about the front-runner.
“Somebody who’s got no track record at all and working with the other side of the aisle. And after all, we are almost half the house, so it does not honor well for smooth relationships as we go forward,” said Connolly, who represents the 11th District of Virginia.
HOUSE RULES:
- 55 individuals have served as Speaker of the House of Representatives
- The eventual speaker will need 217 votes
- Since 1839, the House has elected speakers by roll call vote
Majority Leader Steve Scalise appeared to be a shoo-in for the position with 113 votes but stepped down after failing to unify the Republican Party. House Republicans then nominated the far-right Jordan, who members say received 124 votes.
Call it an 11th-hour push here at the U.S. Capitol, Jordan, went door-to-door Monday night, visiting lawmakers, and lobbying for their support. The GOP is divided right now, Jordan has been a staunch defender of former President Donald Trump.
Scalise removed his name from consideration only one day later, saying “There are still some people that have their own agendas.”
To seize the gavel, second in line to the president, a candidate needs a majority of the House to become speaker, which in this case is 217 votes.
Democrats are advising their caucus to vote for Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, who battled McCarthy for the seat back in January in a historic 15-round vote.