Failure to Elect House Speaker Amid US Republican Party Split... Concerns Over Prolonged Deadlock

The U.S. House of Representatives failed to elect a Speaker amid divisions within the majority Republican Party. In the first vote, as many as 20 Republicans defected, making it uncertain whether a majority can be secured in subsequent votes. There are growing concerns that this unprecedented vacancy in the Speaker position, following a historic removal, could be prolonged.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

On the 17th (local time), the U.S. House held a plenary session and conducted the first vote for the Speaker candidates: Republican Jim Jordan, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and Democrat Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Leader. The results showed Jordan receiving 200 votes and Jeffries 212 votes, with neither candidate securing the majority of the full membership (217 votes), resulting in a failure to elect the Speaker.

Jordan, the Republican candidate from the majority party, faced opposition from as many as 20 members within his own party, unlike Jeffries, who received unanimous support from Democratic members. Currently, the Republicans hold a slim majority in the House with 221 seats compared to the Democrats' 212 seats, so the number of defections must be limited to no more than four for Jordan to win the Speaker election.

Instead, Steve Scalise, House Republican Whip, received 7 votes, and former Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy received 6 votes. Votes were also cast for former Representative Lee Zeldin and others. By casting votes for these individuals who are not the official Republican Speaker candidates, members effectively expressed opposition to Chairman Jordan. The number of defections was higher than initially expected. Republican Representative Byron Donald said, "I was surprised by the number (of defections)." Representative John Rutherford stated that even if subsequent votes continue, he would cast his vote for Whip Scalise rather than Jordan.

The Republican Party is expected to push for a second vote later that day after internal discussions. Since Chairman Jordan has not indicated any intention to withdraw his candidacy, he may continue to challenge for the Speaker position in subsequent votes. When former Speaker McCarthy was elected earlier this year, the vote extended to the 15th round.

Russell Dye, spokesperson for Chairman Jordan, urged, "The Speaker must be elected quickly," adding, "Now is the time for Republicans to unite." The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported, "The House plans to hold another vote later today, but the outcome is uncertain," noting, "It is unclear whether Chairman Jordan will be able to secure enough votes."

[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

Jordan, considered a close ally of former President Donald Trump, is one of the founders of the Freedom Caucus, a hardline conservative group within the Republican Party. After defeating Jordan in the party primary, House Republican Whip Steve Scalise became the Speaker candidate but withdrew before the plenary vote amid internal conflicts, leading to Jordan's nomination. However, his pro-Trump and hardline policies have faced opposition even within the party. Democrat Representative Pete Aguilar criticized Jordan on this day, calling him "a person who incited violence in this Congress." This refers to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, when supporters of former President Trump stormed the Capitol in protest of the election results.

As a result, the vacancy in the Speaker position has been prolonged following the removal of former Speaker McCarthy. This delay inevitably affects negotiations on the 2024 fiscal year budget, which raises concerns about a potential government shutdown, as well as urgent support budgets for Israel, which was attacked unexpectedly by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, and a $2 billion aid package for Ukraine. The previous day, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen stated, "As soon as the House begins to function properly, President Joe Biden will submit a supplemental budget for support to Ukraine and Israel." The New York Times (NYT) reported, "Members are increasingly worried about the repercussions of the prolonged vacancy in the Speaker position."

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