Steve HermanJan 5, 2023
Seventh-round nominations for House speaker: McCarthy (D-CA), Jeffries (D-NY) and Donalds (R-FL).
Show threadSteve HermanJan 5, 2023
In seventh round voting, McCarthy again fallsshort of the threshold to become speaker. Only drama remaining is how many votes will Donalds continue to receive from rebel Republicans.
Show threadDan Robrish
@w7voa Highly unlikely, but it's possible that enough Republicans will vote "present" to allow Jeffries to have a majority. That would allow the House to get on with business and they could oust him within weeks if not days.
Jan 5, 2023 at 5:51pmWeb
Show threadpaulJan 5, 2023

@robrish @w7voa

don't they need 218. so would have to cross the house.

Show threadDan RobrishJan 5, 2023
@amiserabilist @w7voa No, they need a majority of those present and voting. Casting a "present" vote means abstaining, not voting. If enough Republicans do that, Jeffries will win with Democratic votes alone.
Show threadDan RobrishJan 5, 2023
@amiserabilist @w7voa Or they could just walk out of the chamber instead of voting "present."
Show threadpaulJan 5, 2023

@robrish @w7voa

https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/what-happens-if-some-house-members-start-voting-present/

i see now. thank you. but still effectively committing career suicide.

What Happens If Some House Members Start Voting ‘Present’?

The possibility of Jeffries’ being installed as speaker is remote, but it is not impossible.

National Review
Show threadDan RobrishJan 5, 2023
@amiserabilist @w7voa There's already been one Republican, Victoria Spartz, who started voting present on day 2. I suspect those most likely to join her are people not planning to run again in 2024.