Today, the House votes for a new Speaker and the current front-runner, House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy, may not have the votes yet to secure his election to the position. If McCarthy fails to win the gavel on the first ballot today, it would be a historic loss as no leader vying for speaker has lost a first-round vote in a century. McCarthy faces opposition from at least five far-right members of his own party who have pledged to vote as a bloc against him. Those members are Reps. Matt Gaetz of Florida, Andy Biggs of Arizona, Bob Good of Virginia, Matt Rosendale of Montana and Ralph Norman of South Carolina.
Casey Burgat is the director of the Legislative Affairs master’s program at the GW Graduate School of Political Management. He is an expert on the inner workings of Congress who can provide insight into the GOP power struggle playing out in the House.
Sarah Binder, professor of political science, is an expert on Congress, congressional development, congressional committees and political parties. Her research focuses on the relationship between Congress and the Federal Reserve over the Fed's first century. Binder is following the latest developments on the fight over the Speakership.
Todd Belt is the director of the Political Management program at The Graduate School of Political Management and is an expert in public opinion and elections. He can discuss the public opinion of the Speakership and of Congress.
If you would like to schedule an interview with a GW faculty member, please contact GW Media Relations at GWMedia
gwu [dot] edu (GWMedia[at]gwu[dot]edu).
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