House Majority Whip Tom Emmer is the latest candidate for House Speaker
Donald Trump's allies are preparing to reject the highest-rated candidate in House speakers, fueling fears that no candidate will be able to unite the fractured Republican Party.
Deep-rooted divisions within the party have raised fears that Republican lawmakers may have to work with Democrats to secure the vacancy. is filled in.
Republicans vying for speaker have faced internal infighting over the past few weeks, making it difficult for them to reach the 217 votes needed to win the gavel.
Majority Whip Tom Emmer was declared the front-runner among nine candidates . candidates are hoping for the post of drainer, which has been empty for almost three weeks.
The Minnesota Republican and former chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has received the endorsement of ousted Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who said he is “head and shoulders above” the competition, and is the first candidate endorsed by Democrat Dean Phillips since Steve Scalise dropped out of the House race representatives.
But Trump has reportedly told allies he doesn't want Emmer, who is one of two candidates who did not vote to overturn the 2020 election, in the job.
One Republican lawmaker called Emmer, 62, “openly hostile” toward Trump.
“It's ridiculous that he will end up being Speaker of the House,” they told Politico.
“Even if he wins a majority of the majority, he will fall far short of the members who won't vote for him on the floor.”
Mr. Emmer's facial expression may well speak for much of the US, as the deadlock the situation in the House of Representatives continues. Photo: Getty Images/Chip Somodevilla
Mr Emmer is believed to have several far-right allies, such as Andy Biggs, who helped oust Mr McCarthy, and Matt Gaetz, who reportedly acted as a go-between between lawmakers and Mr Trump supporters.< /p>
The House has been without a speaker since Oct. 3 following the historic ouster of Mr. McCarthy, who was knocked out of first place by a 216-210 vote.
Last week, Jim Jordan failed to secure speakers three times. votes are needed. The House GOP conference later voted on Friday by secret ballot to no longer endorse Mr. Jordan as a candidate for speaker. He was the party's second nominee, after Majority Leader Steve Scalise, to opt out.
Nine candidates were given a few minutes Monday night to introduce themselves as the best candidate for speaker.
A closed vote on Tuesday morning will narrow the field to select the next candidate who will need to reach the required 217 votes.
Divided within The Republican Party's ongoing problems with speakers are further evidence of Donald Trump's continued power over the party. Photo: AP/Michael Dwyer
Texas Representative Michael McCaul called the paralyzed House of Representatives a “disgrace.”
“We can't even pass a resolution condemning Hamas,” he told ABC News, adding: “It's embarrassing because it empowers and emboldens our adversaries.” like President Xi, who says: “You know, democracy doesn't work.”
Asked whether an agreement with the Democrats would be needed, Mr McCaul replied: “It's been discussed, I mean, can you ” If you don't get to 217 at our conference…how will you get there? But I think some people think it's very dangerous.”
Asked whether he would rule out working with Democrats, Mr. McCaul added: “I would prefer to see Republicans nominate candidates and vote on the floor for a Republican speaker, but this cannot go on forever. I don't know if we'll have a speaker next week, I don't know how it will end.”
In addition to Mr. Emmer, the other candidates for House Speaker are Mike Johnson, Jack Bergman, Byron Donalds, Kevin Hearn, Dan Mazer, Gary Palmer, Austin Scott and Pete Sessions.
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