The lower chamber of the United States Congress adjourned its session scheduled for Tuesday following its failure to get a new speaker after Republican party leader, Kevin McCarthy, failed to get the votes necessary because of opposition from members of his party.
USAToday reported that the efforts to elect a new Speaker was abandoned after McCarthy lost three straight ballots, the first time in a century the usually straight forward process has taken more than one vote.
McCarthy secured only 203 votes in the first round, far less than the majority of 218 he needed to secure the speaker’s post; 19 other Republicans voted for other candidates; McCarthy even trailed Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, who had the support of all 212 Democrats.
The House is excepted to reconvene on Wednesday, as voting progresses to a fourth round.
The last time the vote for a new speaker went past the first ballot was 100 years ago, in 1923.
