Trump backs McCarthy as Republican faces uphill battle for House speaker – live

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… is a question many people are asking today, as the resumption of formalities (and hostilities) in the House approaches.

The short answer: as many times as it takes for a candidate to gain a simple majority.

The slightly longer answer … follows, from a Q&A about the whole sorry situation we have launched today:

The last time the House did not elect a speaker on the first ballot was 1923, when the election stretched for nine votes.

Republicans had the majority, over Democrats by 18 seats. The GOP named Frederick Gillett of Massachusetts to the position but several other candidates, including a Democrat, received votes during roll call.

This resulted in a series of ballots over three days before the majority leader, Nicholas Longworth of Ohio, held an emergency meeting with those opposing. Their concern, similarly to those issued against Kevin McCarthy of California this year, was over rules changes they believed deserved a fair hearing. Longworth obliged. The next day, Gillett got the 215 votes he needed.

There is also the example of 1855-56, in the years of division over slavery that preceded the civil war. Then, with the Republican party newly emerged as an anti-slavery force, it took 133 ballots over nearly two months to elect a speaker. Eventually, Nathaniel Banks of Massachusetts – a nativist Know-Nothing, no less – got the job.

Here’s the full explainer:

Mike Pence has publicly supported McCarthy as House Speaker, with the House set to meet for a vote in less than an hour.

Calling McCarthy his “friend”, Pence urged GOP members via Twitter to support McCarthy and lead the House to bring about a “Great American Comeback”.

It appears Pence and Trump are on the same page, attempting to sway the coalition of 20 Republicans who remain staunchly opposed to McCarthy’s election.

US Capitol police officer Michael Fanone, who testified to the January 6 committee, visited McCarthy’s office today to highlight McCarthy’s failure to secure his House speaker vote.

While posing outside of McCarthy’s office, Fanone said he visited McCarthy to “rub it in”, referring to McCarthy’s election failure.

“I heard he was having some trouble … I just came here to rub it in,” Fanone told reporters.

Meanwhile, Democrats are celebrating the expected election of Hakeem Jeffries, who will be the first Black lawmaker to lead any political party.

Democrats have been united on Jeffries, amid Republicans failure to secure their own leader.

From US Representative-elect Katherine Clark of Massachusetts:

In a brief interview on Wednesday, Donald Trump reiterated his support for McCarthy and encouraged GOP members to “make a deal” to secure McCarthy’s election.

While speaking with Punchbowl News, Trump said that McCarthy opponents needed to work with McCarthy and elect him as Speaker, adding that he has been trying to corral much needed votes for McCarthy ahead of today’s scheduled House speaker vote.

From Trump:

I think that it’s time now to make a deal to get down to work and they have a lot of work to do. We had a great victory…. And I think that it’s time now for the Republicans to get on with it.

Joe Biden has commented on the House speaker chaos, calling the failure of Republicans to choose a speaker “not a good look” for the country.

While leaving the White House to Kentucky for his speech on the infrastructure bill, Biden told reporters that the failure of Republicans to elect a House speaker is “embarrassing”, stating that the debacle is “not his problem”.

“I hope they get their act together,” said Biden.

Mitch McConnell has remained relatively quiet on the lack of a Republican House speaker, telling reporters yesterday after the first failed vote that he was “pulling” for Kevin McCarthy.

Following his own re-election as Senate minority leader, McConnell was traveling on Wednesday to his home state, Kentucky, to join Joe Biden for a bipartisan touting of the infrastructure bill.

Senate Republican leadership have expressed their concern over the House speaker debacle as the 12pm voice vote looms.

West Virginia senator Shelley Moore Capito called the Speaker proceedings a “circular fire squad,” adding to Politico that she is glad to no longer be a House member:

The unsteadiness I see over there [in the House] concerns me. We get the majority, and then we start a circular firing squad…

I just hope they can overcome the dysfunction,” she added of her former House colleagues…And also, I’m very glad I’m not back in the House.

Read the full article here.

Late Tuesday, opponents and supporters of McCarthy met for hours, reported Politico, in an attempt to figure out a path towards electing a House speaker.

The meeting adjourned with limited progress, with a subsequent meeting scheduled ahead of today’s 12pm vote cancelled.

From Politico reporter Sarah Ferris:

From Hill reporter Mychael Schnell, with comments from House member Chip Roy:

Trump did not communicate with some House members who opposed McCarthy before posting his endorsement.

From Washington Examiner reporter Juliegrace Brufke:

From Politico reporter Olivia Beavers:

Even with Trump’s public support of McCarthy, opponents of the House Speaker nominee do not seem swayed by the endorsement.

Several have taken to social media to share their disapproval, accusing the McCarthy of “squatting” in the Speaker office after losing the vote multiple times.

Late Tuesday, Florida representative Matt Gaetz shared a letter he wrote to the Architect of the Capitol, with Gaetz accusing McCarthy of occupying the Speaker of the House office despite losing the vote several times.

Gaetz’ letter was retweeted by Arizona representative Andy Biggs, who also voted against McCarthy’s selection and accused McCarthy of “squatting” in said office.

Good morning, Guardian readers!

Yesterday, Kevin McCarthy failed to secure enough votes to be the GOP House speaker, the first time in 100 years where a nominee hasn’t won enough votes during the first ballot.

But, to push back against his mostly hard-right opponents, McCarthy has touted Donald Trump’s support of his House speakership, with the former president publicly backing McCarthy’s leadership.

In what has been called “the most humiliating day of his political career”, McCarthy faces an uphill battle to secure enough votes, as the House is set to reconvene for a voice vote at 12pm ET.

Twenty House members blocked McCarthy’s election, the majority being far-right members who also denied the legitimacy of the 2020 election, reported the New York Times.

But McCarthy has been quick to confirm that he has the support of Trump, telling reporters late Tuesday that Trump “wants to see the Republicans united to be able to accomplish the exact things we said we’d do”, and adding that he has no plans to drop out.

Meanwhile, Trump also rallied for McCarthy on social media, posting on his Truth Social account:

Some really good conversations took place last night, and it’s now time for all of our GREAT Republican House Members to VOTE FOR KEVIN, CLOSE THE DEAL, TAKE THE VICTORY, & WATCH CRAZY NANCY PELOSI FLY BACK HOME TO A VERY BROKEN CALIFORNIA,THE ONLY SPEAKER IN U.S. HISTORY TO HAVE LOST THE “HOUSE” TWICE! REPUBLICANS, DO NOT TURN A GREAT TRIUMPH INTO A GIANT & EMBARRASSING DEFEAT. IT’S TIME TO CELEBRATE, YOU DESERVE IT. Kevin McCarthy will do a good job, and maybe even a GREAT JOB – JUST WATCH!

We will be bringing you the latest updates surrounding McCarthy’s bid and Republican reaction, so stay tuned!