The Circus of the Damned Begins

Kevin McCarthy has now failed on three ballots to become House Speaker.

 

Republicans are facing a leadership drama as they take control of the House on Tuesday.

As the 118th Congress convenes, the first order of business in the chamber is the election of a new speaker -- and current Republican leader Kevin McCarthy is being stymied by a group of hardliners demanding concessions.

To win the gavel, McCarthy needs a majority of the members-elect who are present and voting. But because the GOP holds only a five-seat advantage, a small number of defections is so far stopping McCarthy from gaining the office he's long sought.

The House can conduct no other business until a speaker is chosen. For the first time in a century, the vote is requiring multiple rounds.

 

There's no indication that this mess will end anytime soon.

House Republicans are completely incompetent, but we all knew this.

 

And now they have adjourned until noon tomorrow, where we go through this all again.

Historic incompetence.