Topic: Speaker Race

Kevin McCarthy fell two votes short of the Speakership in his 12th attempt, despite reaching a new high of 213 votes. Thirteen former holdouts flipped to McCarthy, though several members were absent for reasons including funerals and medical emergencies. The narrow loss left McCarthy visibly frustrated as the House moved toward further deliberations.

Owen Shroyer, filling in for Alex Jones, praised the effectiveness of the small group of Republicans opposing Kevin McCarthy's bid for Speaker. Shroyer noted that the holdouts remained disciplined and on message throughout the negotiation process. He suggested that McCarthy's only path to victory would be conceding to all demands made by the twenty dissenting members.