Speaker of the House John Boehner immediately moved to adjourn the meeting.
Advertisement
The victor will need at least 218 votes. Ryan though passed on a run for the top House job, instead endorsing McCarthy’s Speaker bid and focusing on legislation that would overhaul and simplify the country’s tax code.
“Because of his verbal blunder last week there were a few of us that were very apprehensive and this going to create great unity among Republicans”, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-California. He recommended that the election be postponed and Speaker John Boehner (BAY’-nur) delayed it. The vote is now being postponed.
Chaffetz said he was “absolutely stunned, surprised and shocked that this happened” but there will have to be “a lot of deep soul searching” among Republicans to determine what happens next.
There are 247 members of the House Republican Conference.
“This is unprecedented to have a small group, a tiny minority, hijack the party and blackmail the House”, said Rep. Peter King of New York. Therefore I am withdrawing my candidacy for Speaker of the House. This group of 30-plus uncompromising conservatives drove Boehner to resign by threatening a floor vote on his speakership.
There was talk among a few lawmakers of elevating a “caretaker” speaker who could serve with consensus support at least for the short term. Boehner later issued a statement saying he would continue to serve as speaker until the GOP settled on a new leader. “Because I don’t see a logical ending”.
“He was making his plea this morning for speaker and this afternoon he’s out of the race”. We will announce the date for this election at a later date, and I’m confident we will elect a new Speaker in the coming weeks.
Despite the opposition, McCarthy clearly had been expected to emerge the victor Thursday over Webster and a third rival, Republican Rep. Jason Chaffetz of Utah, who chairs the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. But the day’s secret-ballot elections were shaping up as merely an early skirmish in the chaotic battle to lead the House. Jason Chaffetz and Daniel Webster, the latter being the nominee of the conservative House Freedom Caucus. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy is the front-runner in the race to become the next speaker, but he faces two Republican opponents who are trying to draw a few of his support.
The idea of fresh leadership has plagued McCarthy so far, and he apparently made similar remarks to Boehner when dropping out of the race Thurday, according to House Republicans who talked to reporters after the meeting.
Jones has said the letter wasn’t directed at anyone in particular.
Asked whether his comments on the Benghazi committee had impacted his decision, McCarthy said: “Well, that wasn’t helpful”. Livingston was the heavy favorite, but had been dogged by allegations – promoted by Hustler Publisher Larry Flynt – that he had been unfaithful to his wife.
Advertisement
Livingston’s announcement came as the House was debating President Bill Clinton’s impeachment with its roots in Clinton’s own infidelities. Hastert himself is now under indictment for financial improprieties related to alleged past misconduct.
