Some of those rule changes would essentially force McCarthy to lead the House with one hand tied behind his back. The hard-right lawmakers have pushed for a number of chamber rule changes, among other demands, before they will even consider backing McCarthy. The cause of McCarthy’s woes can be attributed to 20 members of the House Republican conference who refuse to back his candidacy. “No matter who emerges as the top House Republican, the prolonged spectacle would leave the Republican majority hopelessly damaged from the start, along with the institution of the House itself.” “If Republicans are unable to muster the votes for a speaker, it will make very clear from the outset they cannot be counted on to fulfill the body’s basic responsibilities,” Brendan Buck, a former senior adviser to House Republican leaders, wrote in a New York Times op-ed this week. The delay in choosing a speaker has already affected congressional offices, preventing House members from communicating with agencies about constituent requests or receiving classified briefings. When it comes to must-pass bills like a government funding package or a debt ceiling hike, the Republican dysfunction displayed during the speakership election could threaten the health and legitimacy of the US government and economy. ![]() With a narrow majority in the House and an unruly conference to lead, any Republican speaker will face significant hurdles in trying to advance legislation. The embarrassing spectacle has attracted international scrutiny and raised more questions about the future of the Republican party, as well as the US Congress. The stalemate marked the first time in 163 years that it required more than nine ballots to choose a House speaker. When the House adjourned on Thursday evening, McCarthy had already failed 11 times to win the speakership. ![]() By Friday, McCarthy was well on his way to fulfilling that pledge.
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