WASHINGTON — The House adjourned Thursday with Republican leader Kevin McCarthy of California still in search of more than a dozen elusive votes to become speaker.
McCarthy‘s failure to win a majority of floor votes extended the saga to determine which Republican will succeed Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and raised the historic number of unsuccessful attempts the House has taken to name a speaker, a powerful position that’s second in line to the presidency behind the vice president.
Without an elected leader, the House remains paralyzed, delaying members’ oaths of office, GOP committee assignments, congressional probes and hearings, a rules package and passage of any legislation. Until a speaker is a elected by a majority of the chamber, the House can do little else beyond vote for a speaker or move to adjourn.
