The ultra-conservative rebellion throws the US Congress into chaos

In a chaotic spectacle not seen in more than 160 years, the US Congress has been virtually paralyzed since Tuesday as a group of 20 ultra-conservative Republican House Representatives riotedthey oppose voting for a lawmaker of their own party to head the lower house and seek to set their own terms.

After more than a dozen ballots in which no one reached the necessary majority to nominate who will be second in the presidential succession after Vice President Kamala Harris, there was no way out. This unusual scenario is an example of the terrible political struggle looming over this country for the next few years.

In the legislative elections of November 8, the Democrats maintained the majority in the Senate but the Republicans won in the Chamber – for only 9 deputies – and for this reason it was excluded that they could easily choose the “president” who will replace the legendary Democrat Nancy Pelosi, the first woman to lead the reps.

But the trial, which is usually simple and a feast for lawmakers and their families, has been regarded by many as a “big paper,” a “circus,” a “shame,” and still hasn’t been possible.

Moderate Republican Kevin McCarthy suffered a defeat in a series of successive voting rounds a rebellion by ultras, many of them supporters of former President Donald Trump.

historical block

​

This group – united in the so-called Freedom Caucus – blocked the nomination of McCarthy, who failed to reach a majority of 218 votes, which caused the process to drag out with more rounds of voting, something the House has not seen in 160 years , years, when the matter was resolved in 10 votes.

Without the appointment of a chief, the representatives cannot be sworn in or take office and thus the chamber cannot function. Then they will have to be done as many votes as needed until a candidate reaches those 218 votes.

Many raise the danger of this limbo that has been going on for several days because no law can be passed or any legislative action taken, something very delicate in the event of a national emergency. Intelligence committees don’t meet, no one has access to classified information.

The group of “ultras” considers McCarthy too moderate and underlines that he did not support Trump enough during his mandate and in his stormy exit. Most of them are unaware of the results of the last election, those who were already in Congress in 2021 even voted to nullify the results and 17 out of 20 were supported by Trump in their campaigns.

Many uphold the old tenets of the Tea Party movement from more than a decade ago, albeit more disruptive. All are in favor of lowering taxes, non-state intervention, curbing immigration and limiting the term of congressmen, among other demands.

However, They are so rebellious that even Trump himself has not listened to him, who had asked them to vote for McCarthy. “It’s time for all of our great Republican House members to vote for Kevin, seal the deal and win,” Trump posted on social media Wednesday. “Republicans, don’t turn a huge victory into a giant embarrassing loss,” he said.

But there was no case. The ultras told Trump that he better ask McCarthy to reject his candidacy. The vote went through and they didn’t give in.

McCarthy called them to negotiate and it also emerged that he accepted several concessions: that few votes are needed to remove the speaker; that there are more members of your group on important committees; propose a law limiting the length of mandates of deputies and another on border security.

Leadership in question

Even the offer, which was aimed at breaking up the rebel bloc, didn’t help: “We need someone who unites the party, who isn’t held hostage by lobbies,” one of the rebel MPs, Laurent Boebert, said against McCarthy. A consensual candidate could emerge, but it would be a defeat for the moderates (who managed to garner 212 votes) and a victory for the ultras, who have only 20.

The problem is that even McCarthy cannot make concessions that pit him against the more moderates in the party. In this scenario, if he is ultimately elected, his leadership is already thoroughly challenged and weak. To advance the legislative agenda, it will be tremendously difficult for him to discipline the rebellious people who have already marked the field for him.

This unusual situation is also a piece of paper for Trumpwho has already been beaten in the elections and seeks to become president in 2024, unable to control his more radical followers.

Meanwhile, Democrats unconditionally support their leader Hakeem Jeffries in each of the ballots, and are rubbing their hands when they see the chaos of the opposition party, two years before the presidential election. President Joe Biden called the situation “shameful”.

Washington correspondent

B. C