Every 2 years when a new Congress convenes, electing a Speaker of the House is our first order of business. The House not having a Speaker is like a car not having a steering wheel – inoperable. After Republicans won a majority of seats in the House last November, our conference nominated Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy from right here in the Central Valley to be our party’s nominee for Speaker of the House.
Nobody has worked harder to win a Republican majority in the House than my friend Kevin McCarthy. He has the overwhelming support of the House Republican Conference. However, a small handful of members this week have actively blocked the election of our party’s nominee for Speaker.
Until we elect a Speaker, we can’t even be sworn into office – meaning we can’t pass legislation to address the California water crisis, conduct oversight of the Biden Administration, or do any work on the issues our constituents sent us to Congress to solve.
As of 4:00 pm Eastern time on Friday, January 6th, the House is adjourned until 10 pm Eastern time, when we are expected to take another vote for Speaker. Follow me on Twitter and Facebook to stay up to date with the latest on the Speaker's election.
Watch my explainer video on the Speaker’s election and what’s happening in the House this week here.