118th House Opening Sessions Thread- McCarthy elected Spkr. 216-212, 6 Present; Rules Passed 220-213

[politicallefty]

Here is the way out as charted by myself.

5 Pubs with solid rino credentials state that if by the end of the week, a speaker has not been elected, they will vote for Jeffries (implicitly doing so whether Jeffries wants them to or not).

One interesting aspect of that, is that the Dems might not want that, because then they have too much responsibility for a dysfunctional House, and it makes it more difficult to point the Pubs as a bunch of dangerous kooks in the 2024 election without the kooks being front and center and with power, and because given the discharge petition, that would be subject to being used, or the threat of it being used, as it never has before, at the end of the day there is no real power.

I wish I were a Pub in the House right now. I want to get a better view of the kooks, up close and personal.

Only so long as you have your shots, I hope. 

[politicallefty]

The drama may be keeping this day from being a nightmare, but it would've been so much more enjoyable to watch Speaker Pelosi get a 5th term.

[politicallefty]

Boring over the Senate right now, just interesting to see which states' other Senators aren't with the ones being sworn in (e.g. no Tammy Baldwin with Ron Johnson, no Mittens with Lee)

Okay. I'm gonna watch. I can't wait to see Senator John Fetterman.  

(Unless I missed it.  )

[politicallefty]

Oh, boy. Paul Gosar is speaking.

[politicallefty]

Here we go.

[politicallefty]

Do we know if all 434 members-elect are present?

Good God they have to do this by voice vote? Time to go get lunch.

It's how it's done. It does take awhile.

[politicallefty]

First R vote against McCarthy from Biggs.

[politicallefty]

Second Biggs vote from Bishop (NC).

[politicallefty]

Assuming no Democrats vote present, McCarthy can only afford to lose one more vote.

[politicallefty]

Someone voted for Banks. Didn't hear who. McCarthy can't lose anymore votes.

[politicallefty]

This ballot is over. We haven't even got to Gaetz or Gosar yet, lmao.

[politicallefty]

Is Jeffries going to end up with the plurality, lol?

[politicallefty]

Is Jeffries going to end up with the plurality, lol?

Not how it works, you need a majority of votes cast.

I know that, of course. It'd still be hilarious though.

[politicallefty]

Damn. I'm losing track of who McCarthy is losing. He's already lost 7 votes.

[politicallefty]

Is Jeffries going to end up with the plurality, lol?

He was always going to with a margin this narrow and a Dem caucus this united.

Not if McCarthy kept his losses to single-digits. They came into this Congress with a 222-213 majority, 222-212 after the vacancy in VA-04.

[politicallefty]

Gaetz for Biggs.

[politicallefty]

Good for Biggs.

Gosar too.

[politicallefty]

MTG for McCarthy???

That's actually not news, if you can believe it.

[politicallefty]

Who just voted for Zeldin?

[politicallefty]

Folks...
https://twitter.com/Redistrict/status/1610337838276419589

Seems a little late.  

[politicallefty]

So, wait, what happens after this vote? Do we immediately go to another vote or something else?

[politicallefty]

So, wait, what happens after this vote? Do we immediately go to another vote or something else?

Members are given the opportunity to change their vote before the gavel is banged, then yes, another vote.

Actually, I just meant when. There are no House rules at the moment. I can't imagine more than three or four votes today, if it takes that long.

[politicallefty]

I wonder if Pelosi will say anything apart from her vote when it gets to her. I expect a standing ovation on the Democratic side when she votes though.

[politicallefty]

McCarthy has lost 13 votes and counting. I imagine the "Other" votes are more attainable than the Biggs votes. Both are above 5 though, so yikes for McCarthy.

[politicallefty]

Norman for Biggs.