Former President Donald Trump didn’t move the needle at all Wednesday by renewing his call for House Republicans to elect Rep.-elect Kevin McCarthy as speaker.
Mr. Trump warned an anti-McCarthy faction of 20 lawmakers that they were risking an “embarrassing defeat” and were playing a “dangerous game” by repeatedly voting against Mr. McCarthy.
But hours later, the fourth balloting for speaker ended with Mr. McCarthy falling short again. He received 201 votes, one less than he had garnered on Tuesday before Mr. Trump reminded lawmakers of his endorsement.
The former president had first endorsed Mr. McCarthy in mid-December.