Kevin McCarthy, listens as the second round of votes are cast for the next Speaker of the House
(Picture: AP)The US House of Representatives is in chaos after Republican leader Kevin McCarthy repeatedly failed in his bid to be elected Speaker.
The House adjourned without a speaker on Tuesday night after the California congressman lost three consecutive votes in his bid to lead the lower chamber of Congress.
The day of high political drama was the first time in a century the House had failed to choose a Speaker after a first round vote.
The start of a new Congress was supposed to be a celebration for the Republicans after their narrow win in wrestling control of the House from the Democrats in November’s mid term election.
But it ended in disarray as Mr McCarthy faced a rebellion from within his own ranks.
In the three votes, Mr McCarthy failed to reach the required 218 vote threshold required to be elected Speaker.
Though Republicans hold 222 seats, a bloc of 19 hard-right Republicans solidified in opposition to him on ideological and personal grounds.
McCarthy vowed to stay in the race and make a further bid to win enough votes when the House reconvened today.
He said former President Donald Trump wants him to stay in the race and told him to bring an end to the House Republican chaos and pull the party together.
He was expected to make further concessions to his opponents in a bid to get over the line.
At one point, he reportedly agreed to change the House rules to make it easier to oust a sitting Speaker, handing his opponents an enormous check on his power.
Asked if he would drop out, McCarthy said, “It’s not going to happen.”
Political observers said even if McCarthy is elected, the turmoil on the floor of the House suggests a tumultuous two years of moderate and right-wing Republicans at war with each other.
A Republican party unable to effectively run the lower chamber of Congress could hamper its ability to carry out some of its core functions like passing spending bills or raising the debt ceiling.
