A narrow majority of Republicans in the U.S. House are turning the vote for Speaker of the House into a 'staring contest.'
That’s how South Dakota’s lone Representative Dusty Johnson describes the vote. He is backing Republican Kevin McCarthy for the job, who is failing to get 218 votes needed to win the post.
Speaking between votes, Johnson said Republicans who are voting against McCarthy secured several reforms but are forcing a stalemate.
“I think this is going to go on for a little while. I think you’ve got a certain amount of stubbornness on both sides. I think the 90 percent of House Republicans who support Kevin McCarthy don’t have any interest in having the 10 percent order them around,” Johnson said,” Johnson said. “I think with the 10 percent you’re dealing with some very strident members who I think are not particularly inclined to take the victory for the grabbing.”
House members adjourned Tuesday evening until noon Wednesday after a third vote for House speaker. McCarthy was short by 16 votes.
Tuesday’s vote is the first time in a century the vote for Speaker of the House took multiple ballots.
