GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy appears to have failed to lock down the votes needed for Speaker for the fourth time as the House continues voting for a fourth round.
It’s unclear how many members are on the floor. But GOP Rep. Victoria Spartz, who had previously backed McCarthy, abstained from voting, bringing the threshold Kevin McCarthy needs to 217.
However, he is still far from that and the fact that she voted present is not a good sign for McCarthy.
She voted present after speaking to GOP Rep. Patrick McHenry, one of Kevin McCarthy’s deputies.
A majority of those present and voting is required to get the speakership, which is usually 218 lawmakers. But if enough people skip the vote or vote “present,” the number of votes required for a majority can drop.
