WASHINGTON — Rep.-elect Dale Strong (R-Monrovia) took part in today’s historic balloting but he still has to wait to be sworn in to office.
The congressman-elect voted three times today for Rep. Kevin McCarthy to be Speaker of House. However, McCarthy, the favorite to be named to the top position in the House, failed to garner the 218 votes needed.
After today’s third round of balloting, the House adjourned until noon EST Wednesday. Democrat Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York received 212 votes, McCarthy collected 202 votes and GOP Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio had 20 votes.
Since no speaker was elected, the House could not conduct any business – including legislation, committee meetings, and swearing in new members of Congress.
“The GOP caucus voted overwhelmingly to support McCarthy in November,” Strong said in a statement. “I am planning to support him today. I share the concerns of North Alabamians about how the House has been run in recent years, but at this time there is no other alternative.”
Strong also said a unified Republican party is important in passing effective legislation.
“It is time for Republicans to unify so that we can advance our agenda,” he said. “Our fight is not with each other.
“It is to stop the Biden policies that are killing our country.”
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