The House of Representatives has been essentially closed since Oct. 3, when 8 Republicans and 208 Democrats voted to vacate the chair.
That action removed Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) from office. Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) was appointed by a House rule intended to ensure the continuity of government in case of emergencies.
Mr. McHenry’s sole task is to oversee the election of a new speaker. So, while House committees continue to meet, the full body can take no action.
Republicans, who hold a narrow majority in the House, have been unable to come to terms on their choice of a speaker.
Meanwhile, Israel is at war with Hamas, President Joe Biden has requested additional aid for Ukraine in its ongoing fight against Russia, the clock is ticking on a 45-day continuing resolution to fund the government, and the Department of Customs and Border Protection reports nearly 9,000 daily law enforcement contacts at the southern border.
Here is a look at the tumultuous chain of events that has left the Congress of the United States unable to function for three weeks and counting.
The House passes a continuing spending resolution averting a government shutdown with hours to spare before the end of the fiscal year. The move angers fiscal hawks and draws threats of a motion to vacate the chair.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) introduces a motion to vacate the chair, aimed at removing Mr. McCarthy.
The motion to vacate succeeds with the support of just eight Republicans aided by 208 Democrats.
Mr. McHenry is designated speaker pro tempore and places the House in recess until Oct. 10.
Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) announce their bids for the speakership.
Hamas attacks Israel. House members begin to call for a rapid resolution to the speakership question to allow the House to meet and determine support for Israel.
7 Days House unable to act 3 Days of Israel-Hamas War 40 Days to government shutdown 62,237 Documented illegal southern border crossings (estimate)
Oct. 10Republicans hold their first forum for speaker candidates.
Republicans elect Mr. Scalise as speaker designee by a vote of 113–98 at an 11-conference meeting. A vote on the House floor is scheduled for 3 p.m. but is quickly canceled as Jordan supporters publicly announce their refusal to support Mr. Scalise.
Republicans convene a three-hour listening session during which members air complaints about a variety of matters, including the handling of the speaker nomination.
After a second session that evening, Mr. Scalise withdraws.
Republicans convene to decide the next steps. After a recess, they reassemble for their second forum, this time with candidates Mr. Jordan and Rep. Austin Scott (R-Ga.). Mr. Jordan is elected speaker designee by a vote of 124–88.
On a second, confirming ballot, 28 Republicans switch their support to Mr. Jordan. A floor vote is scheduled for Oct. 17.
Mr. Jordan wins 200 votes on the House floor, 17 short of the number needed to elect. Twenty Republicans vote for other candidates. Some are angered at the treatment of Mr. Scalise. Others complain of a pressure campaign conducted by Mr. Jordan’s supporters over the weekend.
15 Days House unable to act 11 Days of Israel-Hamas War 32 Days to government shutdown 133,365 Documented illegal southern border crossings (estimate)
Oct. 18Mr. Jordan’s vote total drops to 199 in a second ballot on the House floor. As some Republicans switch their votes in both directions, a net 22 Republicans do not support Mr. Jordan.
President Joe Biden visits Israel.
Republicans cancel a third ballot as Mr. Jordan and others try to enlist support for temporarily empowering Mr. McHenry to assume full speaker duties for a limited time. Mr. Jordan later says the plan was intended to “lower the temperature” after days of intense conflict among Republicans while allowing the House to resume normal business.
The effort is abandoned after a large number of Republicans failed to support it. Mr. Jordan later meets with holdout Republicans in an unsuccessful attempt to win their support.
President Joe Biden addresses the nation, announcing he will seek additional funding to support the war efforts in Israel and Ukraine.
Mr. Jordan holds a morning press conference to state his case for resolving the speaker election quickly, enabling the House to reopen.
In a third ballot cast shortly afterward, Mr. Jordan’s support drops to 194 votes as 25 Republicans oppose him.
At a Republican conference held later in the day, Mr. Jordan requests a vote to gauge his level of support within the conference. The conference decides to discontinue Mr. Jordan’s candidacy by a vote of 112 to 86. Mr. McHenry places the House in recess until Oct. 24.
Nine Republicans announce their intention to run for the speakership: Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Reps. Mike Johnson (R-La.), Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), Kevin Hern (R-Okla), Jack Bergman (R-Mich.), Austin Scott (R-Ga.), Pete Sessions (R-Texas), Gary Palmer (R-Ala.), and Dan Meuser (R-Pa.).
21 Days House unable to act 17 Days of Israel-Hamas War 36 Days to government shutdown 186,711 Documented illegal southern border crossings (estimate)
Oct. 24Date of a planned fourth ballot on the House floor.
