The Politics Thread

[janea4old]

House Dems press conference earlier today:
They point out that since there is no Speaker, the rules say that nobody can be sworn in, and no work can get done.
 

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Edited January 4, 2023 by janea4old

[DramatistDreamer]

Brazil needs to use this time constructively to put their criminal case and hopefully convince the U.S. to extradite George Santos to face those larceny charges.

[janea4old]

They plan to.
https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/brazil-to-reopen-probe-of-george-santos-in-2008-checkbook-fraud-case/

[DramatistDreamer]

I knew that they reopened the case, but does Brazil even have an extradition policy with the U.S.? I know that the possibility of trying Santos in absentia has also been raised but if he’s extradited, that would make a much stronger case for him being removed from office as he would be unable to do the people’s business.

California has a recall system for candidates but I don’t recall NY state having one. A recall election is more expensive and messy. When there is a case being made for a criminal fraud charge, it would save the people time and expense to just make the case that he is unable to do his job while he is in another country defending himself in a criminal case.

[janea4old]

Results of fourth vote for Speaker

201 - Repub. Kevin McCarthy

212 - Dem. Hakeem Jeffries

20 - Byron Donalds (Republican from Florida)

0 - Others

1 vote as "present"

__________

434 total.
They all showed up to vote.
(There are 435 seats, but one representative is deceased with an upcoming election to replace him.)

I guess they are all voting without being sworn in.

Nobody got the 218 votes required to win Speaker.

Victoria Spartz of Indiana was the one who voted "present".
_______________

They are now going directly into starting the process again for nominations for a fifth vote for Speaker.

Edited January 4, 2023 by janea4old

[I Am A Swede]

Is there a limit on how many times they can vote? If not, this could go on for a while....

 

[DramatistDreamer]

In short, no.

About a century ago, the vote went through 133 rounds and took two months.

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/longest-elect-speaker-house/story?id=96183135

[janea4old]

No.  100 years ago (1923) was the last time it took more than one vote, but that was only 9 votes.

It was 1855 when it took 133 votes.

Here is the list of all the times it's taken more than one vote:
From the US House's history page:
https://history.house.gov/People/Office/Speakers-Multiple-Ballots/#

[janea4old]

 

[I Am A Swede]

133 rounds??!! 

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    Wow.....

[janea4old]

Fifth vote results same as fourth vote.

Nobody got the 218 votes required to win Speaker.

201 - Repub. Kevin McCarthy

212 - Dem. Hakeem Jeffries

20 - Byron Donalds (Republican from Florida)

0 - Others

1 vote as "present"( Victoria Spartz of Indiana was the one who voted "present".)

434 total.

[Fevuh]

Should make this like the Pope.  When there's smoke, there's a Speaker.

[janea4old]

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs (D):
In one of her first official actions, Hobbs signed an executive order setting in motion a process to update the state’s policies barring discrimination in state employment and contracting. Hobbs is adding new protections based on gender identity, political affiliation, military service or veteran status, marital status, culture and other characteristics.
https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/democrat-katie-hobbs-to-take-office-as-arizona-governor/

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) on Tuesday in her first official act as governor moved to strengthen worker protections for LGBTQ state employees and contractors, signing an executive order that expressly prohibits workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. 
https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/3798816-hobbs-signs-executive-order-protecting-lgbtq-state-employees-from-discrimination/

[janea4old]

What's scary is that the Republicans who oppose McCarthy say he's not conservative enough.

[Fevuh]

The GOP isn't so grand at this point and they're just repeatedly going down like a whore in Vegas.  I just don't even know what to say, so I'll say that.  lollll.