Kevin McCarthy gears up for ‘Battle On The Floor’ as GOP divisions threaten to undermine his bid for Speaker of the House

Much of the political media Tuesday was fixated on the House of Representatives, where Republican divisions threaten to derail Kevin McCarthy’s longtime desire to serve as Speaker — potentially blocking all deals in the lower chamber.

After a contentious meeting of the House GOP caucus, McCarthy conceded to reporters that “we may have a fight on the ground, but the fight is for the conference and for the country, and I agree with that.”

His comments came after members of the ultra-conservative Freedom Caucus voiced their opposition to McCarthy, even after he made sweeping concessions, including lowering the threshold needed to call a vote on his replacement at any time .

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), who has been a key McCarthy ally in the field of support on the right, said she was “angry” about the hold. In extensive statements to reporters, it accused individual members of being hypocritical or self-serving.

An obvious exhibitor, Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), complained to reporters after the caucus meeting that they were “sworn in instead of sworn in,” while little movement among those who had long voiced opposition appeared to be on the way. in the direction of McCarthy.

The vote will create a rare moment of real tension on Capitol Hill where the outcome of a vote is uncertain and unclear, especially if McCarthy does not get a majority. Then the House will have to go to another vote until he or someone else is able. Members must cast their vote while the nomination list is read out.

The vote is crucial to ensuring the House conducts business, as members of the 118th Congress cannot be sworn in until a speaker is selected. McCarthy needs a majority of voting members to secure the speakership, which was in doubt since his party will have a slim 222-212 majority when Congress meets.

Just before noon ET, outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, wearing a fuchsia suit, drew sustained cheers from Democrats and applause from even Republicans as she addressed the previous convention. It was the end of 20 years of Congress leadership. As the new Congress convened, a Democratic member was heard to say loudly, “Let the show begin.” This reflects the contrast between Pelosi’s tenure, during which she exercised great discipline over party organization, and the tenure of the new GOP majority with significant disagreements over their leadership direction.