Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday narrowed their options as they tried to fill a leadership vacuum that has paralyzed the chamber for three weeks and left Congress unable to tackle urgent funding requests for Israel and Ukraine.
Republicans eliminated one of their candidates for speaker, Representative Pete Sessions, in an initial closed-door vote that narrowed the field to six candidates.
The chamber’s No. 3 Republican, Representative Tom Emmer, won the most votes in the first round but failed to secure a majority, lawmakers said. Republicans are aiming for a candidate who can secure 217 votes from their 221-member caucus, a high bar intended to ensure that they can elect a speaker without relying on Democratic votes.
More votes were expected to follow, with the aim of uniting behind a nominee for a position that has been vacant since Oct. 3.
After three weeks of infighting, some Republicans predicted that a new speaker could be elected on the House floor quickly.
“People are so discouraged by what’s happened the last three weeks that they want to come together,” Representative Don Bacon said on Monday.
Emmer can point to leadership and campaign fundraising experience that normally would make him a strong candidate for the post.
But Republicans have already rejected two leaders with those skills. Kevin McCarthy was ousted as speaker by a small group of Republican insurgents on Oct. 3, and his No. 2, Steve Scalise, dropped his own bid the following week when he was unable to line up enough votes to win the job.
Emmer faces several rivals from his party’s right flank, including Representatives Byron Donalds and Kevin Hern.
Republicans have already rejected the most prominent member of that faction, Representative Jim Jordan, who was dropped as their nominee after losing three floor votes last week.
‘NOT THRILLED’
Other candidates, like Representative Mike Johnson, are running as bridge builders who promise to unite the party after weeks of arguing during which some Republican members of Congress reported getting death threats after voting against Jordan.
Two other candidates, Representatives Gary Palmer and Dan Meuser, dropped out before voting began.
The infighting has left the House unable to respond to President Joe Biden’s $106 billion request for aid to Israel, Ukraine and U.S. border security. Congress will also have to act before a Nov. 17 deadline to fund the U.S. government and avert a partial shutdown.
The uncertainty has also helped to push up the U.S. government’s borrowing costs. The government posted a record $1.7 trillion deficit for the most recent fiscal year, in part due to higher interest payments.
“Americans are looking at us right now, and they’re not thrilled,” Representative Anthony D’Esposito said.
Republicans control the House by a narrow 221-212 margin, which means they can afford no more than four defections on partisan votes. Some 25 Republicans voted against Jordan’s speaker bid last Friday.
With Democrats united in opposition, Republicans will have to ensure they have 217 votes of their own.
A nominee is chosen by simple majority, but Republicans might keep voting and negotiating in private until their next nominee has locked in 217 Republican votes.
Democrats have said they are open to a compromise candidate that would allow the chamber to function. Many Republicans have said on principle that they would not back somebody who had support from the opposition party.
That could change if Republicans remain deadlocked.
“Every hour that this goes by, members get closer and closer to wanting to try unconventional approaches,” said Representative Dusty Johnson.