After 5 grueling days and 15 rounds of voting, Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) finally secured the required votes to become Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. The immediate result is that we now have a functioning House of Representatives. Members can be sworn in and conduct their official duties. Committee Chairs will be put in place and hearings will begin. Investigations and oversight activities will be launched. Legislation can be introduced and acted upon. Floor votes (on something other than the Speaker) can be cast.
In the days and weeks to come, all eyes will be on the after-effects of this long slog to name a Speaker and how House Republicans move out on their key policy and political priorities. Undoubtedly, it will stand in stark contrast to the work of the Senate Democrat Majority and the Biden Administration. How those dynamics come in to play on “must pass” legislation such as the annual appropriations bills and raising the national Debt ceiling are sure to equal, if not exceed, the high stakes drama of this past week.
Your WSW team will continue to provide updates and insights on how these events and those that follow will impact your federal agenda in 2023.
For further reading on the historic contest for Speaker:
McCarthy claims speakership on 15th ballot – POLITICO
Kevin McCarthy secures Speakership after historic floor battle | The Hill
McCarthy wins speaker election, finally – Roll Call
