Who Will Become Speaker of the House?

History was made today because the U.S. House of Representatives failed to elect the next Speaker of the House. For the first time since 1923, the House failed to choose a Speaker after the first vote. After three rounds of voting today without a clear winner, the House adjourned with another vote scheduled for tomorrow at noon.

A total of 218 votes is required to become Speaker of the House. Republicans have a narrow majority of 222, meaning that the winner must convince nearly all of the Republicans to vote for them. However, 19 Republicans are rebelling against the party and refusing to vote for McCarthy. On the third vote, they were joined by another member, making a total of 20 according to Samantha Aschieris. 

1. Andy Biggs of Arizona

2. Dan Bishop of North Carolina

3. Eli Crane of Arizona

4. Paul Gosar of Arizona

5. Matt Gaetz of Florida

6. Byron Donalds of Florida

7. Bob Good of Virginia

8. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida

9. Chip Roy of Texas

10. Keith Self of Texas

11. Andrew Clyde of Georgia

12. Andy Harris of Maryland

13. John Brecheen of Oklahoma

14. Matt Rosendale of Montana

15. Mary Miller of Illinois

16. Lauren Boebert of Colorado

17. Andy Ogles of Tennessee

18. Michael Cloud of Texas

19. Ralph Norman of South Carolina

20. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania

Donalds of Florida voted for McCarthy during the first two rounds, but he switched his vote in the third round to Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio). His reason for switching his vote was that McCarthy does not have the votes. “I committed my support to him publicly and for two votes on the House Floor. 218 is the number, and currently, no one is there.”

Jordan has publicly stated that he does not want to be Speaker, a fact that makes him attractive to the rebellious members. It does not appear that any of the Republicans besides McCarthy want to be Speaker, and he wants it badly.