“House Democrats are increasingly alarmed by a potential threat to the transfer of presidential power: a protracted failure by Republicans to select a speaker if the GOP keeps control of the chamber,” Politico reports.
“The House convenes on Jan. 3 to elect a speaker, just a few days before Congress is supposed to certify the results of this year’s election. And it’s unclear if Republicans, should they win a House majority, would elect a speaker in time. In January 2023, it took them 15 ballots and roughly four days to eventually select Kevin McCarthy.”
“The inability of a fractious Republican conference to choose a leader would render the House virtually powerless, unable to do anything except keep voting to pick a speaker. If that fight dragged on for more than three days, it would threaten Congress’ ability to hold a constitutionally mandated joint session on Jan. 6, 2025 to certify the results of the presidential election.”
“That would set up a constitutional crisis with no obvious solution.”
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