Georgia representatives vote again for new U.S. House Speaker

January 3rd, 2023

Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., listens during the second round of voting for the next Speaker of the House on the opening day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

U.S. House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy has failed multiple times today to get the needed votes from his fellow Republicans to become the next House Speaker.

Georgia’s congressional delegation has had a mixed response.

Congressman Andrew Clyde of Athens was the only Georgia Republican not backing McCarthy in the opening rounds of voting.

Clyde was joined by nearly 20 Republicans who are part of the more conservative wing of Congress.

With the slim GOP majority, McCarthy can only lose 4 Republican votes and still win.

One Republican who is not defecting is Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene of Rome.

She has turned her fire toward her fellow conservative and Freedom Caucus members, while expressing support for McCarthy.

With the shift in power from Democrats to Republicans in the House, committee assignments and chairs could be critical to Georgia in areas like agriculture and military bases.

Until a House Speaker is selected, members can’t be sworn in and begin the session.