As McCarthy continues campaign for Speaker role, some Republicans drop out

Republicans started walking out of the House chamber as the fight to elect Kevin McCarthy as their speaker entered its fourth day when one of his most ardent challengers blasted the party leader.

“We don’t trust Mr. McCarthy’s authority,” said Florida Republican Matt Gates, as colleagues flooded the chamber to protest his remarks.

However, there are signs that opponents have softened their opposition to Mr McCarthy. As voting resumed, at least five of them switched to his vote.

As discussions emerge of a deal with conservative diehards who have blocked Mr McCarthy’s rise, it remains out of reach after three dismal three days and 11 failed votes in a political spectacle not seen in a century.

Arriving at the Capitol on Friday morning, an upbeat Mr McCarthy told reporters: “We will make progress. We will shock you.”

Voting resumed after Republican Mike Garcia nominated Mr McCarthy for the 12th time, while thanking the US Capitol Police for protecting lawmakers and Democratic legislative seats on Jan. 6 with a standing ovation.

The Chamber cannot get members to take the oath and begin its 2023-24 session. One Republican said Mr. McCarthy told lawmakers there were no plans to adjourn over the weekend, but it might be difficult to keep them in Washington, D.C.

So far, Republicans have been unable to identify a new speaker — usually an easy task for a party that has just won a majority control. Not this time: About 200 Republicans were stymied by 20 far-right colleagues who said he wasn’t conservative enough.

The deal Mr. McCarthy proposed to opponents of the conservative Freedom Caucus and others revolved around the rule changes they had been seeking for months.

The changes would reduce the power of the speaker’s office and give rank-and-file lawmakers greater influence in drafting and passing legislation.

Even if Mr McCarthy were able to get the votes he needed, he would be a weakened Speaker, giving up some power and leaving him under constant threat of being voted out by his critics.

But he may also be inspired by being a survivor of one of the more brutal gavel battles in American history.