After tellers completed tallying votes from the eighth round of voting, House Clerk Cheryl Johnson reaffirmed that “a speaker has not been elected,” and called for a ninth round to elect a speaker.
The 118th Congress’ election for speaker is now tied with the 1923 election for the most votes cast since the end of the Civil War.
This time, McCarthy was nominated by Texas Representative Troy Nehls, who dedicated his words to the American people, “who have been watching these proceedings and are concerned about what they’ve seen in this chamber over the past two days.”
Nehls, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, stated that he has “addressed and accepted” many of the concerns voiced by the group of 20 McCarthy opponents.
“I believe this battle we are waging must end,” he added, noting McCarthy’s agreement to amend House rules, including reducing the threshold for bringing a motion to vacate the chair, allowing a single member to ask for a vote to remove the speaker.
Nehls stated that the proposal permits the Republican conference to keep the speaker accountable.
“The American people gave us, my friends, us, the Republicans, the majority, and their vote of confidence to change the direction of our country,” he stated. The American public is desperate for leadership.
After Nehls argued for McCarthy, California representative Ted Lieu, deputy chair of the Democratic caucus, rose to nominate Jeffries.
“Democrats are unified to tackle the climate crisis, while Republicans are mired in their own leadership crisis,” he said. “The House Democrats are ready, willing, and able to serve the American people, Madam Clerk. Under the leadership of Hakeem Jeffries, who has a plan for the American people, we will do this.”
Montana Republican Rep. Matt Rosendale nominated Donalds for speaker, lamenting that, over the past 15 years, “the voices that were sent here to equally, to equally represent each of the 435 districts across this nation have become diminished” due to a consolidation of power in the hands of the speaker and members of the House Rules Committee.
“We have had more discussion and debate over the last three days than I have participated in on this floor for the last two years, and it’s healthy,” added Rosendale.
Acknowledging that “change is uncomfortable,” he stated that “broken system.” require modifications.
Rep. Lauren Boebert nominated Republican Rep. Kevin Hern for speaker after voting for him in the eighth round, thus introducing his name into the running.
“A gut check revealed that we require someone to convince my colleagues on this side of the aisle that it is time to go forward and develop momentum. Numerous of you have stated it, “Boebert said. “You can see that Kevin McCarthy lacks the necessary votes. You recognize that he will not reach his destination.”
The Colorado Republican stated that the House must review “evaluate what life after Kevin McCarthy looks like.” She stated that Hern has “lived the American dream” and has the ability to unite the party while achieving results.
She stated, “We can have a happy warrior leading us,”