The House of Representatives continues efforts to elect a Speaker of the House.  Republican candidate Kevin McCarthy failed in his first-round effort on the floor in dramatic fashion. A group of conservatives blocked his path amid one of the smallest GOP House majorities in history.  Democrat Hakeem Jeffries had the highest overall number of votes, but still not enough to become speaker.

As noted by Politico, “In a stunning moment of chaos on the first day of the new Congress, McCarthy and his allies will now attempt to quell the revolt, preparing members to take repeated votes as pressure mounts from their colleagues. It will mark only the second time since the Civil War that a party will need multiple attempts to choose its leader on the House floor — with all business in the chamber, even the swearing-in of members, halted until a speaker is chosen.”

Voting continues, video below. UPDATE After Three Failed Votes, the House is adjourned until noon tomorrow:

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