The Associated Press has a brief overview of what the next steps are in selecting a new Speaker of the House. Whether former Speaker Kevin McCarthy will attempt a Quixotic move to regain his position is not likely. It's also within the realm of possibility that someone outside of the House can be elected, since that's permitted by the Constitution. The House Republicans are convening to discuss what comes next.
"Once Republicans decide who to nominate for speaker, the House would have to vote as many times as it takes for a candidate to receive the majority of those present and voting for speaker. It can quickly become an arduous exercise, as it did in January when it took McCarthy an unprecedented 15 rounds to win the gavel.
Once a speaker candidate has won a majority of the vote, the clerk will announce the results of the election.
During a normal speaker election, which takes place at the start of each Congress, a bipartisan committee, usually consisting of members from the home state of the chosen candidate, will then escort the speaker-elect to the chair on the dais where the oath of office is administered. The oath is identical to the one new members will take once a speaker is chosen.
It is unclear if that is the same process that will be followed in this instance. It is customary for the minority leader to join the successor at the speaker’s chair, where they will pass the gavel as a nod to the potential future working relationship between one party leader and another." (our emphasis)
With right-wing zealot and alleged sex trafficker Rep. Matt Gaetz (Secession-FL) calling the shots, it's going to be someone he can manipulate, as long as he controls a handful of like-minded MAGAt mouth breathers. Meanwhile, 13 appropriation bills are pending a vote, and the November 17 end of the current continuing resolution is approaching. Who would want to step in as Speaker in this Republican viper pit?
