WASHINGTON — The House adjourned without electing a speaker on Wednesday after Republican leader Kevin McCarthy failed in his fourth, fifth and sixth attempts to secure the post he has long desired.
McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, who also fell short in three votes Tuesday, now has more time to negotiate a compromise in an effort to win the support of some of the 20 hard-right Republicans who have so far blocked him from the speakership.
Former President Donald Trump, in a series of social media posts Wednesday morning, had called for members to back McCarthy — but that had little effect on the day’s action, with McCarthy ultimately losing ground as a member who had previously supported him instead voted “present.”
