GOP Infighting over Speaker Vote Paralyzes Congress for 20 Days

After ousting Kevin McCarthy, Republicans have failed to elect a new House speaker for 20 days as infighting continues. Nine lower-level candidates are now running but none have clear path to gavel.

Dysfunction prevents Congress from acting on critical issues like funding government, aid for Ukraine/Israel, and expiring programs.

What began as complaints over McCarthy's leadership has become bitter infighting between factions over politics and personalities.

Trump, who backs Jordan over Scalise, has oversized influence but can't broker a deal. HisPreference sinks Scalise's bid.

Interim Speaker Patrick McHenry declines to simply take gavel amid calls for him to reconvene Congress for business. Internal GOP elections Tuesday but could take multiple rounds.