2023-01-04 14:24:19

Did Kevin McCarthy Open the Door for Pro-Insurrectionist Republicans to Block Him as House Speaker?

The new Republican majority in the House of Representatives was thrown into chaos Tuesday as a group of far-right lawmakers prevented GOP leader Kevin McCarthy from becoming speaker, blocking him in three rounds of voting. This is the first time in a century that the process has gone beyond the first round. Voting for a new speaker is set to resume Wednesday. McCarthy needs 218 votes to become speaker, but with a razor-thin Republican majority of 222 representatives, the roughly 20 right-wing holdouts have essentially ground congressional business to a halt until a speaker is chosen. “Exactly what they’re fighting for is sort of unclear. They only know what they’re fighting against,” says New York Times staff writer Robert Draper. We also speak with The American Prospect’s David Dayen about how Republicans are attempting to eliminate congressional worker unions.

Democracy Now! produces a daily, global, independent news hour hosted by award-winning journalists Amy Goodman and Juan González. Our reporting includes breaking daily news headlines and in-depth interviews with people on the front lines of the world’s most pressing issues. 

On DN!, you’ll hear a diversity of voices speaking for themselves, providing a unique and sometimes provocative perspective on global events.

Missed an episode?  Check out DN on FSTV VOD anytime or visit the show page for the latest clips.

#FreeSpeechTV is one of the last standing national, independent news networks committed to advancing progressive social change. 

#FSTV is available on Dish, DirectTV, AppleTV, Roku, Sling, and online at freespeech.org.

David Dayen Democracy Now! Kevin McCarthy Robert Draper The American Prospect

Politics

The Thom Hartmann Program

If Nazis Don’t Approve Your Book Is Banned?

If Nazis Don’t Approve Your Book Is Banned?

Democracy Now!

Seditious Conspiracy: Oath Keepers Founder Stewart Rhodes Gets 18 Years in Prison for Jan. 6

Seditious Conspiracy: Oath Keepers Founder Stewart Rhodes Gets 18 Years in Prison for Jan. 6

Democracy Now!

“Education Leads to Liberation”: Nikole Hannah-Jones on The 1619 Project & Teaching Black History

“Education Leads to Liberation”: Nikole Hannah-Jones on The 1619 Project & Teaching Black History

Democracy Now!

Spike Lee on “Malcolm X” & How Hollywood Almost Prevented Landmark Film from Being Made

Spike Lee on “Malcolm X” & How Hollywood Almost Prevented Landmark Film from Being Made

Related

The Thom Hartmann Program

If Nazis Don’t Approve Your Book Is Banned?

If Nazis Don’t Approve Your Book Is Banned?

Democracy Now!

Memorial Day Massacre: Chicago Cops Killed 10 During 1937 Steel Strike, Then the Media Covered It Up

Memorial Day Massacre: Chicago Cops Killed 10 During 1937 Steel Strike, Then the Media Covered It Up

Democracy Now!

Ukraine’s Left Fights for a Future Free from Domination by Russian Tanks & Western Banks

Ukraine’s Left Fights for a Future Free from Domination by Russian Tanks & Western Banks

Democracy Now!

Oxfam: G7 Countries Owe the Global South More Than $13 Trillion in Development & Climate Assistance

Oxfam: G7 Countries Owe the Global South More Than $13 Trillion in Development & Climate Assistance

Proud Partners