House lawmakers Tuesday adjourned the opening day of the 118th Congress stymied by GOP infighting over the speaker’s gavel, which left the chamber in limbo and unable to organize for the legislative session.
After three ballots, Republican leader Kevin McCarthy of California was unable to garner the majority of votes needed to win the speaker’s gavel thanks to a group of GOP lawmakers who are seeking a more conservative alternative.
Nineteen Republicans voted against Mr. McCarthy in the first two rounds of votes. Another joined the anti-McCarthy cause in the third round for 20 votes against him becoming speaker.