The GOP-led House of Representatives will vote again on Thursday for its new speaker, as the first contested election for the leadership role in a century continues.
So far, the vote remains on Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who has been backed by most Republicans, but not enough for a majority of the body.
McCarthy has been unable to reach the 218 votes needed to win the Speaker’s deck as Democrats have rallied behind Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (DN.Y.).
With the narrow majority of Republicans in the chamber, and no Democrats backing McCarthy, he can only afford to lose four Republican votes. Potential no-shows could lower the threshold, as could “present” votes, the latter a choice that a McCarthy opponent could make rather than an explicit “no” vote.
It didn’t appear to be the case on Tuesday either. The one vacant seat, filled by the late Rep. Donald McEachin (D-Va.), who won re-election in November, is not enough to change the necessary vote total.
With no clear alternative candidate among the Republicans, today’s outcome remains uncertain.
Voting is scheduled to begin at noon ET.
Watch the live video above.
