The Republican Party explodes at the start of the new US Congress

California representative Kevin McCarthyNominated by the Conservatives to the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives, he just couldn’t get over it. rebel some of them more radical members against the party’s election for that office. In the first round of voting, 19 of the 222 Republican congressmen did not elect him, and he got 203 votes, far from the 218 votes he needed. and by century for the first time In the first ballot, ‘speaker’ selection could not be achieved.

although it just started second round, nor did McCarthy get the necessary votes, The same resistance of 19 colleagues. This was immediately followed by the third, in which internal opposition to McCarthy rose to 20 votes. And finally it was decided to suspend the session and restart it at noon this Wednesday.

With both sides immersed in a stern and obvious situation in their positions resistance Duel, the process enters a a phase full of complications and uncertainties but also definitely: Even if it’s McCarthy decides to resist and not to retreat, and Even if I win the electiona probability that is not guaranteed, weakened leader. The Republican Party also launched a campaign on this first day. hopeless message about their ability to participate opposition Joe Biden and democrats and showed itself civil war between moderates and radicals.

The results are also practical: until a spokesperson for the assembly arrives is is will not be suitable get oath of new members and start legislative, commission work or in other votes

Radical wing weight

poor results elections November, conquered by republicans 222 seats compared to 212 The Democrats (there is one vacant seat) left little margin for McCarthy to lose the vote this Tuesday. He’s been haggling for a month, the last few days and hours have been insane. and it finished big concessions to the far rightincluding changing the rules so that only five congressmen can initiate a no-confidence motion against the leadership or expand their presence on committees. Even so, ultras want moreincluding being able to initiate proceedings against the ‘speaker’ if brought up by a single congressman, and McCarthy failed to secure a majority.

The first ballot included the names of Democratic candidate Hakeem Jeffries (212 votes, insufficient but more than McCarthy) and Republican congressman Andy Biggs, who had no other choice but was able to pull key votes from other parties. McCarthy Other Republicans added protest votes against the Californian by casting their votes on other no-option candidates, such as the following. jim jordan. And though he called for a vote for McCarthy just before the runoff, reminding in a speech to Republicans that their internal differences pale in comparison to those with Democrats, his effort was doomed to failure.

In fact, Jordan himself was nominated by ultra Matt Gaetz, and McCarthy got the required majority on the second ballot. Same thing happened the third time, aggravating situation for McCarthy gave Jordan one more vote. And given the stalemate, it was decided to delay the continuation of the process until Wednesday.

Thirty years of drift

Everything that happened caught all the attention. intestinal tensions among conservatives. From the moment they emerged, they began to radicalize. tea party after his victory barack obama and its formation Freedom Groupthis is already He succeeded in removing John Boehner from the Assembly leadership in 2015. and replace him with Paul Ryan (by blocking McCarthy’s first attempt at work).

are The divisions entrenched by Trumpism in the formation where the weight of the excess increases and face the apparatus more traditional (something McCarthy himself did as House Republican minority leader, although this apparatus was handed over to his leadership during the years of the Trump presidency).

nerves flared

Tensions rose in the tense meeting held behind closed doors in the morning before the voting began, revealing the tension. has been shouts, explosions and even threats, as revealed by those with knowledge of that meeting. And when McCarthy said “I won my position” A response from some or some radical Republican congressmen was heard: “nonsense”.

Recalling that he has the record for the longest speech in the House and is also eager to get the most votes, McCarthy promised not to give up his efforts and to continue to put his candidacy to the vote (so far). 1855, when they need 133 in two months). He also questioned “a few people who wanted something for themselves” and accused them of asserting their own interests. Personal interests take precedence over party interests and country.

It’s the same idea brought forward by some of his many allies on the podium, who openly question his colleagues who are blocking the election. Congressman Dan Crenshaw, for example, accused ultras of “being”. openly seeking notoriety about principles”. “If you are a narcissist and you believe that your opinion is more important than anyone else’s, you will continue and break the team for the benefit of the democratsMike Rogers, another conservative congressman from Alabama, suggested at the morning meeting before the vote that McCarthy dissidents be removed from committee posts. And Kat Cammack, another ally of the ‘speaker’ candidate, said:radical 2%“From information.

Until Marjorie Taylor GreeneOne of the most extremist congresswomen, but in this case an ally of McCarthy, assured that those opposed to California were “playing a game”. Russian roulette” with a recent majority. “This worst thing that could happen“, he wrote on Twitter.

2024 and democrats

The chaos enraged the President as well. Republican National CommitteeRonna McDaniel condemned what happened in a statement to Fox News. Hurts the prospect of retaking the White House in 2024. “If we want to be successful as a united party in 2024, we must fix this House presidency and move on,” he said. “This is currently exemplary exactly what the democrats want to see from our party”.

Meanwhile, Democrats have basically chosen to sit in the background to let the chaos and dysfunction of the Republicans reveal themselves. And when New York congressman Jeffries, who took over the party head of the Lower House from Nancy Pelosi and had the unanimous support of the formation, presented his nomination for leadership, the contrasting message left by congressman Pete Aguilar was clear. :Democrats of the lower house united”.