House Speaker Crisis Timeline: 1. Crisis begins with the resignation of the House Speaker. 2. Interim Speaker appointed to fill the position temporarily. 3. Political parties engage in negotiations to select a new Speaker. 4. Several candidates emerge as potential contenders. 5. Intense debates and discussions take place within the House. 6. Final selection made, and new Speaker assumes office. 7. House resumes normal functioning under new leadership.
The House of Representatives: A Tumultuous Chain of Events
The House of Representatives has been essentially closed since Oct. 3, when 8 Republicans and 208 Democrats voted to vacate the chair. That action removed Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) from office. Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) was appointed by a House rule intended to ensure the continuity of government in case of emergencies.
Mr. McHenry’s sole task is to oversee the election of a new speaker. So, while House committees continue to meet, the full body can take no action.
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Republicans, who hold a narrow majority in the House, have been unable to come to terms on their choice of a speaker.
Meanwhile, Israel is at war with Hamas, President Joe Biden has requested additional aid for Ukraine in its ongoing fight against Russia, the clock is ticking on a 45-day continuing resolution to fund the government, and the Department of Customs and Border Protection reports nearly 9,000 daily law enforcement contacts at the southern border.
A Timeline of Events
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Sept. 30
The House passes a continuing spending resolution averting a government shutdown with hours to spare before the end of the fiscal year. The move angers fiscal hawks and draws threats of a motion to vacate the chair.
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Oct. 2
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) introduces a motion to vacate the chair, aimed at removing Mr. McCarthy.
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Oct. 3
The motion to vacate succeeds with the support of just eight Republicans aided by 208 Democrats. Mr. McHenry is designated speaker pro tempore and places the House in recess until Oct. 10.
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Oct. 4
Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) announce their bids for the speakership.
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Oct. 7
Hamas attacks Israel. House members begin to call for a rapid resolution to the speakership question to allow the House to meet and determine support for Israel.
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Oct. 9
Many Republicans meet for informal discussions on the speakership as members make their way back to Washington.
7 Days House unable to act
3 Days of Israel-Hamas War
40 Days to government shutdown
62,237 Documented illegal southern border crossings (estimate)
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Oct. 10
Republicans hold their first forum for speaker candidates.
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Oct. 11
Republicans elect Mr. Scalise as speaker designee by a vote of 113–98 at an 11-conference meeting. A vote on the House floor is scheduled for 3 p.m. but is quickly canceled as Jordan supporters publicly announce their refusal to support Mr. Scalise.
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Oct. 12
Republicans convene a three-hour listening session during which members air complaints about a variety of matters, including the handling of the speaker nomination.
After a second session that evening, Mr. Scalise withdraws.
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Oct. 13
Republicans convene to decide the next steps. After a recess, they reassemble for their second forum, this time with candidates Mr. Jordan and Rep. Austin Scott (R-Ga.). Mr. Jordan is elected speaker designee by a vote of 124–88.
On a second, confirming ballot, 28 Republicans switch their support to Mr. Jordan. A floor vote is scheduled for Oct. 17.
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Oct. 17
Mr. Jordan wins 200 votes on the House floor, 17 short of the number needed to elect. Twenty Republicans vote for other candidates.
All Democrats vote for Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.).
15 Days House unable to act
11 Days of Israel-Hamas War
32 Days to government shutdown
133,365 Documented illegal southern border crossings (estimate)
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Oct. 18
Mr. Jordan’s vote total drops to 199 in a second ballot on the House floor. As some Republicans switch their votes in both directions, a net 22 Republicans do not support Mr. Jordan.
President Joe Biden visits Israel.
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Oct. 19
Republicans cancel a third ballot as Mr. Jordan and others try to enlist support for temporarily empowering Mr. McHenry to assume full speaker duties for a limited time. Mr. Jordan later says the plan was intended to “lower the temperature” after days of intense conflict among Republicans while allowing the House to resume normal business.
The effort is abandoned after a large number of Republicans failed to support it. Mr. Jordan later meets with holdout Republicans in an unsuccessful attempt to win their support.
President Joe Biden addresses the nation, announcing he will seek additional funding to support the war efforts in Israel and Ukraine.
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Oct. 20
Mr. Jordan holds a morning press conference to state his case for resolving the speaker election quickly, enabling the House to reopen.
In a third ballot cast shortly afterward, Mr. Jordan’s support drops to 194 votes as 25 Republicans oppose him.
At a Republican conference held later in the day, Mr. Jordan requests a vote to gauge his level of support within the conference. The conference decides to discontinue Mr. Jordan’s candidacy by a vote of 112 to 86. Mr. McHenry places the House in recess until Oct. 24.
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Oct. 20–22
Nine Republicans announce their intention to run for the speakership.
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Oct. 23
Date of a planned third Republican candidate forum.
21 Days House unable to act
17 Days of Israel-Hamas War
36 Days to government shutdown
186,711 Documented illegal southern border crossings (estimate)
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Oct. 24
Date of a planned fourth ballot on the House floor.
How does the absence of a speaker in the House of Representatives impact the functionality and effectiveness of the legislative branch?
An votes for other candidates, resulting in no candidate receiving the necessary majority.
As of now, the House remains without a speaker, and the country continues to face pressing issues that require action and decision-making. The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, the crisis at the southern border, the funding of the government, and the request for aid to Ukraine are just a few of the crucial matters that need to be addressed by Congress.
The Consequences of a Vacant Chair
The absence of a speaker in the House of Representatives has significant implications for the functionality and effectiveness of the legislative branch. Without a leader to preside over the House, crucial decisions cannot be made, and important legislation cannot be passed.
The inability to elect a speaker has also resulted in a lack of unity within the Republican Party. With multiple candidates vying for the position and no clear consensus, internal divisions have emerged, hindering the party’s ability to present a united front and articulate a cohesive agenda.
Furthermore, the absence of a speaker leaves the country without a clear line of succession. In the event of an emergency or a situation that requires immediate action,
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