Photo edit of Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy. Credit: Alexander J. Williams III/Pop Acta.
Photo edit of Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy. Credit: Alexander J. Williams III/Pop Acta.

As we head into 2023, we bring a new Congress with us. The 118th Congress will convene for the first time Tuesday at noon, on the “opening day” of Congress. While the day will be full of pageantry, constituents, and family for many members all of the fun and games will end as the House of Representatives convenes for the first time at around 2 p.m. to vote on a Speaker. As this is the first and only potential action before they are sworn into office.

The House cannot do any work, or act as official members until they elect a Speaker and that Speaker swears the members in. Which could take minutes, hours, a week, or longer depending on the debate the House sees. As of now, it is far from certain that House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Cali, will become the speaker.

Tuesday the House will start off with the Clerk of the House, Cheryl Johnson, calling the House to order at noon. Followed by all 434 members coming in and declaring their presence. After this, the members will head into the selection of the speaker. This is important as they cannot do much before this takes place, but also because until they pick a speaker, the House will be under the temporary control of outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Cali.

According to Fox: “House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., will nominate McCarthy. House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., will nominate Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. “ However, in a twist, Representative Andy Biggs, R-Arizona, is planning to challenge McCarthy for the position.

With a minimum of 218 votes needed to win the speakership, it may get tricky with a Republican challenger, the potential of not all 434 members being present, and McCarthy having a few known challengers. Leaving an interesting vote as the “magic number,” or a number the speaker candidates will need in order to win will not be known until after the first tally is taken. If McCarthy or anyone else for that matter does not prevail after that first tally, the House will find itself in a position it has not been in, in 100 years.

Leaving an interesting situation for us all to keep our eyes on as we head into the start of the 118th Congress.



Comments

  1. Those 5 or so Republicans that are Voting against can go stay Democrats we don’t want you.
    Now that we finally do something with the Border and other issues to take our Country back we have screwups purposely messing up our Country.
    We The People will not be Voting for any of you.
    We will be watching.
    They are just jealous folks. Ignore them they will go away.

  2. Jefferies in a split vote. The Rs can do much together correctly. Too many Rhinos and you can bet the D’s are strong arming their folks to not break rank. It would be a fitting end of the “ red wave”. The Rs win but still lose! Lindell for RNC chair!!!’

  3. LISTEN UP….SamuraiQueen Endorses KEVIN McCARTHY for House SPEAKER. GOD’S Blessing is with HIM. Without GOD’S Blessing…there is EVIL…CHAOS and CONFUSION. From SamuraiQueen aka CHIAKIA. Servant of the LORD GOD. 😄😄😄😇😇😇😉😉😉

  4. Andy Biggs should become speaker. A neutral between the conservative right and the rinos led by Kevin. I have plenty of doubt about Newt too . It is obvious that Kevin was hand picked by a socialist Paul Ryan. Mitt Romney has more than made that clear. We need Americans running America.

  5. Here is the problem with McCarthy. I don’t think he is much better than Mitch McConnell, both of which are definitely not conservative and probably closer to rhinos than anyone would want to believe. So it’ll be safe. I just hope they vote for Andy Biggs.

  6. AAN blocked my prior non-vitriolic comment. It was straight politics. i.e. Mccarthy was hand picked by left of GOP center , retiring speaker Paul Ryan. To have a healthy congress we must have true discussion between dems and republicans. Who stand for different kinds of government Ie Government by centralized elites, or states rights advocates. Not a whitewash of one of the sides. Ryan has been recently showing where he truly stands .

  7. These stupid F***ing Republicans just can’teem to get it together as a team like the democreeps do. The republicans love to fight amongst themselves and then they wonder why they can’t stop Biteme joey’s agenda. I am a loyal Republican but I fear for this country of ours because they are so blind and foolish. The on;y hope for our contry is for them to pull toether as a cohesive team. I don’t think they ar evensmart enough to see this problem!!!!!!!!

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