comment: >
  
  What did it cost Kevin? Everything.
context: At this point if he ever wins this vote I’ll consider him more hostage than speaker >
  
  He will literally be the weakest speaker of the house to ever hold that office. >
  
  Everything. Gaetz owns him. They are both pathetic. >
  
  Watch the five or whatever members bring a vote to kick mccarthy out by next week >
  
  During the rules vote on Monday* >
  
  What in the world would change 13 votes in one round? Pretty yellow bellied freedom fighters all the sudden. Talk about political theater. >
  
  One rumor on twitter is that Gaetz is  getting chairmanship of the armed services committee.  Hence the falling out with the senior republication on the committee and his quick turnaround. This would be exactly what would be needed to turn these votes around.  Fairly disastrous for world security, but if it gets the votes what could go wrong, right? >
  
  That slimeball has no business being in the chair of any committee, let alone such a powerful one.  He has no business wielding any power at all, but here we are. >
  
  Something tells me an active child sex trafficking investigation by the DOJ may make getting the necessary security clearance for that role a tad tough.
  At least one would hope. >
  
  I would hope so too, but seeing how little it did to stop Kushner etc from getting his, I’m not holding my breath. >
  
  Kushner had Orange daddy order a clearance. I'm not so certain the new admin would be so.... forgiving. >
  
  Pride. Dignity. Bussy. >
  
  Lots of bussy >
  
  Oh God I hope so. >
  
  I mean, Lindsey Graham can get real lonely sometimes. >
  
  Have the Russians run around Trump and found a new pet? >
  
  Nah, the Fascist Caucasus has always been on the Russian payroll just like the Tea Party was.   
  The point isn't necessarily governing, it's causing as much chaos and problems as possible. Note what cutting defense spending would do; it would reduce the US' ability to fund Ukraine's defense. Wonder who would want that... >
  
  At a time when China is increasing its military budget and Iran and NK are flexing with Russia. It’s a great time to cut military spending in their eyes. >
  
  His soul. Which probably wouldn’t even fill a Flawed Varla Stone, let’s face it >
  
  He’s a petty soul in a black soul gem. >
  
  Obviously not enough because he still keeps losing.  
  There will be “special committees” that will investigate the DOJ,FBI, The Bidens, and CIA.   They will make the US default on its debt and gut social security, Medicare, and anything else that helps the 95% of Americans.  Then, in two years, they will preach to their constituents that they need more time to “fix” the problems that plague our country. >
  
  I'm sure they will try all those things. They can form the committees, but the rest of those objectives would have to pass the Senate and the President. Holding the budget hostage will be their most damaging move. >
  
  True but they will waste millions on stupid investigations. That's why Jordan doesn't want to be speaker. I think he will head the judicial committee so he can start Benghazi 2.0. 
  If they cause us to default on our debt, it will cost us billions and may lead to China getting it's way and replace the dollar as the world currency. Either way, we are in for chaos and drama for the next 2 years. >
  
  Best case scenario is they waste time effort and money on pointless investigations and the American people realize that and vote accordingly in 2024. Here's hoping the corporate donors backing the Republicans have enough pull to prevent them from forcing a financial default. Still the next two years are going to be a sh1t show. >
  
  He’s given up all power for the title. >
  
  
  By Anthony Zurcher  
  North America correspondent  
  It took 15 ballots, a midnight vote and a near-fistfight in the hallowed chambers of Congress, but Kevin McCarthy has now been elected Speaker of the House of Representatives.  
  Through a combination of cajoling, arm-twisting and finger-jabbing, the California congressman succeeded in convincing enough of the 20 holdout Republicans to support him - or at least not explicitly oppose his bid for the Speaker's gavel.  
  Getting those recalcitrant Republicans on board, however, was not an easy job. Mr McCarthy has had to make promises, and key concessions, that limit his own power and increase the influence of conservatives in the House of Representatives.  
  Concession: A one-member election trigger  
  One of the key demands of the Republican holdouts was the ability for just one legislator to trigger a vote on whether to remove the Speaker from office. This "motion to vacate" could spawn another round of voting in the House, just like what we've seen this past week, serving as a proverbial sword dangling over his head for every minute he has the gavel.  
  Cost: The motion to vacate is a rule that has a long history in the Congress, but the number of people necessary to trigger it was raised to five in recent years to prevent a lone member of Congress from threatening the Speaker's power. While the holdouts have promised not to abuse the privilege if it is restored, Mr McCarthy's hold on power will be much more unstable with it in place.  
  Kevin McCarthyEPA   
  Concession: No easy path to push through legislation  
  Students of US civics - and fans of the old children's TV series Schoolhouse Rock! - may recall learning about how bills work their way through the House of Representatives. They're introduced by a legislator, assigned to a committee for review and revision, brought to the floor of Congress and further amended, then given an up-or-down vote.  
  That is not how things work very often these days, as massive spending bills are negotiated behind closed doors and passed on short notice and with little debate. Mr McCarthy promised to make bill-passing more like the good old days, with members of Congress outside of the top leadership having more say over how bills are proposed, amended and passed.  
  Cost: The reason regular order has mostly ended is that legislating, particularly with modern partisan divisions, is hard. Crafting new bills is an arduous task and the process can easily be torpedoed by a handful of politicians with an agenda. While returning to the traditional rules of the game is a noble cause, it is going to be a hard promise for Mr McCarthy to keep.  
  Concession: Conservatives could be making the rules  
  As its name might suggest, the House Rules Committee essentially sets the rules of the game on the floor of the House. The committee determines when a bill will be voted on, how long it is debated for and how it can be altered by amendment on the floor - or whether it can be changed at all. Mr McCarthy has guaranteed to give the hard-core conservatives at least one seat on this powerful group.  
  Cost: A seat at the table gets you in the game. With more representation on the Rules Committee, conservatives will be able to shape the kind of legislation the House produces before it fully takes shape - and nip undesired proposals in the bud.  
  Watch: The unusual moments from a chaotic week in Congress 1px transparent line   
  Concession: Taking plum roles away from supporters  
  Several of the holdouts have had their eyes on the gavels in influential House committees. Andy Harris of Maryland, for instance, has expressed an interest in chairing the health subcommittee of the House Appropriations committee, which controls billions of dollars in government spending. Mr Harris switched his support to Mr McCarthy on Friday afternoon. Mr McCarthy has made no public promises, but legislators will be watching closely to see if any Republicans get rewarded for their intransigence.  
  Cost: Giving a committee chair to a holdout means taking it away from a loyal McCarthy supporter who should have been next in line based on seniority. Mr McCarthy may end up making some enemies within his own camp if he promises too much to his former opponents.  
  Concession: Spending restraints  
  A common complaint among hard-core conservatives has been that federal spending has surged to unsustainable levels. During the Speaker fight, they have asked Mr McCarthy to commit to tangible fiscal restraints, such as cutting spending to 2022 levels, requiring that any increase in the amount of debt the government issues be tied to corresponding budget cuts, and allowing individual lines of spending to be removed from larger legislation through votes on the House floor.  
  Cost: With majority control of the House, Republicans will be able to pass any budget levels they agree on. Mr McCarthy is committing himself to siding with budget hawks in these intra-party debates - which has already angered some conservatives who fear massive cuts to defence spending. Republicans in the House will eventually have to negotiate with Democrats in the Senate to pass spending legislation, however. Mr McCarthy's commitments here could give him less room to work out the kind of compromises necessary to avoid a government shutdown later in the year.  
  Concession: Prioritise their issues  
  The issue of congressional term limits and border security have been frequent topics of conversation among the Republican holdouts. Mr McCarthy has reportedly promised to hold votes on both early in the year.  
  Cost: The House was certainly going to take up the immigration issue quickly no matter what the holdouts wanted, as tightening border security and immigration policy have been the centrepiece of the Republican agenda since the start of Donald Trump's presidential campaign in 2015. As for term limits, such a reform would probably require a constitutional amendment to enact. The Supreme Court has already ruled that state attempts to restrict the terms of members of Congress is unconstitutional. >
  
  That ONE vote only needed to force a reelection of the speaker is crazy! >
  
  I also believe it’s just a promise that he doesn’t have to hold.I wouldn’t be surprised if that was just lip service. >
  
  I believe the price will be mainly paid by American citizens. >
  
  Kevin has given up everything but the title. He will be the least powerful speaker ever. >
  
  Really.  Congress is hamstrung for at least the next two years. >
  
  What’s funny is it hasn’t just empowered radical republicans, but moderates as well. They can go to McCarthy and say add this amendment or I call a vote of no confidence/vote with the dems.
  He has given up any and all power for a title. I’ll be seriously surprised if a single bill passes the next two years. >
  
  A subscription to Boebert's Only Fans page? >
  
  Can I get first month free? >
  
  These snakes were never at odds, this was all manufactured drama. 
  Votes all the way until midnight on 1/6, Trump ‘saving the vote’, it’s all 100% bullshit. >
  
  Looks like they are voting again, wonder what Gaetz was told to what seems like get his vote finally. >
  
  He's given up any hope of averting a shutdown.  I think that it's all but guaranteed now. >
  
  This could be bad for Ukraine unfortunately.  Gaetz and the other insurrectionists know they'll need Russian support in 2024.   I hope I'm wrong though. >
  
  Lots of pork projects and committees appointments >
  
  Another insurrection 2 years to the date. >
  
  Is this enough for some moderate Republicans to splinter off and vote for Jeffries? >
  
  What moderate republicans are there in the house? >
  
  Those who suddenly decide it’s in their best interest to pretend they were never really into all that maga stuff, and that this has nothing to do with gut-wrenching fear of losing their seats. >
  
  couldnt have been his soul... or his dignity... or his pride... non of which he has...
  ​
  couldnt have been the republic to the insurrectionists. he did that long ago
  ​
  house of represenative does not have a speaker... it has an empty suit >
  
  He has nothing left to give. Nothing from nothing leaves nothing.  Empty suit. >
  
  Booty … he gave his all. >
  
  I’d say his soul if he had one.