The House of Representatives is counting its 13th day without a leader after the ouster of U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy from the speakership position.
McCarthy was removed from his role Oct. 3 in a vote in which the Democrats, together with eight hard-right Republicans, decided to remove a House speaker for the first time in U.S. history.
In the meantime, the House is frozen, unable to act. The situation has caused several urgent bills to become untouched, including a proposal by President Joe Biden to send aid to Israel to assist in its conflict with Hamas, as well as a new measure needed to avoid a looming government shutdown, which is approaching in one month.
Government Shutdown Stopgap Expires In 1 Month: The vote earlier this month left the Speaker chair vacant and the House in mayhem. The historic event proved a testament to the growing difficulties gnawing away at the GOP, whose increasingly bitter internal disputes are grinding Washington, D.C. to a halt.
It remains to be seen which political figure will have the power to unite the GOP-led House and harness the necessary votes to win the speakership.
McCarthy's run as speaker was short-lived and tumultuous. Throughout his tenure, McCarthy negotiated a high-stakes bill to raise the debt ceiling, avoiding a default. Just last month, Congress approved a stopgap bill aimed at preventing a full government shutdown.
Yet the continuous resolution that allowed the government to continue to operate only lasts until Nov. 17, one ...