McCarthy heads toward loss on second ballot for speaker with at least 10 GOP defections

McCarthy so far has lost 19 GOP votes on the second ballot, which denies him the 218 needed to win, assuming every Democrat votes for Jeffries.

By Nicholas Ballasy

Published: January 3, 2023 2:26pm

Updated: January 3, 2023 3:12pm

House GOP Rep. Kevin McCarthy is heading toward a loss on the second ballot of voting for speaker with 19 GOP defections.

The second round of voting began with Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan nominating California GOP Rep. Kevin McCarthy and Florida GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz later nominating Jordan.

No candidate received enough votes to become speaker in the first round, which prompted a second ballot for the first time in 100 years.

So far, McCarthy has lost 19 GOP votes on the second ballot, which denies him the 218 needed to win, assuming every Democrat votes again for New York Democratic Rep. Hakeem Jeffries. Those 12 GOP members voted for Jordan.

Republicans won a majority of 222-212 in the midterm election.