It’s Day 20 without a House speaker, and Republicans are starting over. They convened again Monday evening without any idea who will lead and when they will be able to get Congress back to work.

Republicans gathered late in the evening to hear quick speeches from the congressmen seeking the job, though none has a clear shot at the gavel. Eight candidates are in the running for one speaker after one dropped out. Behind closed doors, they made their elevator pitches to colleagues ahead of internal party voting.

Senior-most among the hopefuls is Rep. Tom Emmer of Minnesota, but neither he or the other lower-level Republican lawmakers are expected to quickly secure a majority. Instead he and others are reaching out to Donald Trump for backing ahead of elections to choose a nominee. One, Rep. Dan Meuser of Pennsylvania, dropped out.

“They all called asking for support,” said Trump, the Republican front-runner in the 2024 presidential race, who was in New Hampshire registering for the state’s primary ballot.

  • Grant_MEnglish
    62·
    8 months ago

    I hope it resolves. Ukraine’s survival and democracy around the globe depends upon a resolution.

    • alabasterhotdog
      4·
      8 months ago

      I hear ya, the democracy part might be a lil hyperbolic but even if we get to the funding deadline next month, there will be plenty of ripples felt. I do think they will eventually settle on Donalds (the rep, not orange Donald) or someone close to the freedom caucus but whoever they settle on will have the same issues as McCarthy.

      • Grant_MEnglish
        72·
        8 months ago

        Donalds is pro-trump/putin/insurrection. I’m not being hyperbolic about democracy hanging in the balance.