Today, the House it taking a fifth vote for speaker after Republican foes of House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy kept him from getting close to a majority of votes in the latest round of voting that has now stretched over two days.
Even a last-minute plea from former president Donald Trump for Republicans to unify around McCarthy (Calif.) failed to sway 21 Republicans on the fourth ballot. Instead, 20 backed a new alternative, Byron Donalds, 44, a Black Republican who has represented a Florida district since 2021. One member, Republican Victoria Spartz (Ind.), voted present.
