GOP Holdouts rally behind Byron Donalds in a bid to deny McCarthy of Speakership

Twenty Republicans voted in Rep. Byron Donalds, R-FL (second day of voting for House Speaker), denying House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), the gavel on the fourth ballot.

Rep. Chip Roy (R–TX) nominated Donalds as the House returned to session on Wednesday at noon.

“For the first time in history, there have been two black Americans placed into the nomination for speaker,” Roy spoke to a round applause. He also mentioned the Democratic nominee, Rep. Hakeem Jeffreys (D-NY).

“For the first time in history, there have been two black Americans placed into the nomination for Speaker.”

Standing ovation for Rep. Chip Roy’s nomination to Republican Byron Donalds as speaker Nominated was also Hakeem Jeffries, a Democrat. https://t.co/UMyG5yEQ7f pic.twitter.com/ALAH8Tzise

— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) January 4, 2023

Donalds voted in McCarthy’s favor in Tuesday’s first two ballots. However, he voted in the GOP defectors on Tuesday to vote in Rep. Jim Jordan (R–OH) in the third ballot.

The final vote in Wednesday’s first ballot was 201 for McCarthy, 221 for Jeffries and 20 for Donalds. Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN) voted “present.”

After former President Donald Trump, the vote will be held called Republican House members should support McCarthy early Wednesday morning as speaker.

“It’s now time for all of our GREAT Republican House Members to VOTE FOR KEVIN, CLOSE THE DEAL, TAKE THE VICTORY,” Trump posted to Truth Social. “REPUBLICANS, DO NOT TURN A GREAT TRIUMPH INTO A GIANT & EMBARRASSING DEFEAT. IT’S TIME TO CELEBRATE, YOU DESERVE IT. Kevin McCarthy will do a good job, and maybe even a GREAT JOB – JUST WATCH!”

Rep. Jim Jordan (R.OH), gave a speech Tuesday saw McCarthy being renominated to the position, and Republicans were urged to unite to vote.

“​To my friends here on this side of the aisle, I would just say this: The differences we may have ​… pale in comparison to the differences between us and the left​,” He stated.

Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN) votes “Present” #118thCongress pic.twitter.com/FBmkIYazfU

— CSPAN (@cspan) January 4, 2023

The threshold for a nominee to win the speaker’s gavel is 218 votes, but that number could decrease if members vote “present,” Vote no or you are absent

Votes will continue until a speaker has been elected. House members can’t be sworn into until a speaker has been chosen. This will impede any legislative business or committee assignments in Congress 118th.

McCarthy offered some concessions to woo GOP holdouts include making it easier To remove the House speaker. However, some members such as Reps. Matt Gaetz and Dan Bishop (NC) and Lauren Boebert(CO) remain unmoved.