The chaotic, convoluted path House Republicans took to elect a speaker leads back to square one
The chaotic, convoluted path House Republicans took to elect a speaker has led back to square one. After a lengthy and difficult process, the House has failed to find a consensus on who should become the next speaker. Instead of a new speaker, the House is once again faced with the challenge of finding a leader with the support of a divided caucus.
The process of electing a speaker began in late September when former speaker John Boehner announced his resignation. After Boehner departed, the Republican majority in the House, fractured into several different factions, failed to agree on a consensus candidate. This sparked a number of leadership races and maneuvers, as Republicans attempted to pick a candidate who could unify the caucus.
Ultimately, however, the process stalled as the divisions between conservatives and moderates intensified. Several potential candidates withdrew their names from consideration, leaving the House without a consensus speaker. With no clear front-runner, the process began again from scratch as the House convened for another vote.
The chaotic and convoluted path has been emblematic of a divided House. Even if the House eventually finds a compromise candidate, the difficulty it has faced in finding an acceptable speaker reveals a breakdown between Republicans who are divided on issues such as immigration, the budget, and other areas of policy. The House will have to overcome these divisions to effectively lead the country.