In the US Congress, the election for the chairman of the House of Representatives has begun, overshadowed by bitter power struggles between the Republicans. The leader of the Republican faction, Kevin McCarthy, wanted to be elected chairman of the House of Representatives at the inaugural session of the newly elected Congress today.
His party colleague Elise Stefanik nominated the 57-year-old. He is a “seasoned MP, a seasoned leader, a friend to so many of us, a proud Conservative with a tireless work ethic,” she said.
In view of the narrow majority, however, it became apparent that McCarthy would likely miss the necessary majority in the first ballot. That would be sensational. The last time it happened was a hundred years ago that more than one ballot was needed to vote for the powerful office. Some Republican lawmakers dissented from McCarthy in today’s vote.
The Republican also had competition from within his own ranks. Representative Andy Biggs from the right wing of the party was also nominated for the Republicans. The Democrats nominated their faction leader Hakeem Jeffries. In the congressional elections at the beginning of November, the Republicans regained a majority in the chamber. The Democrats still have a narrow majority in the Senate.
