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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Gustaf Kilander

McCarthy won’t endorse anyone for House speaker as forum begins - Live

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Related video: Matt Gaetz denies House speaker turmoil is hampering US response to Israel

The first vote to decide who will become the next speaker of the House of Representatives is expected to take place today, with questions growing as to whether any candidate has enough support to take the gavel.

Republicans will hold their internal vote to select the party’s nominee for speaker at 9am ET on Wednesday with a full chamber vote possible as soon as today.

However it could still be some time before a speaker takes the gavel, with the House going through a staggering 15 votes in January before Kevin McCarthy finally surpassed the vote threshold.

On Tuesday night, the House GOP held a closed-door candidate forum.

Mr McCarthy urged his allies not to nominate him for the role again, as he also refused to endorse either of the two candidates Steve Scalise or Jim Jordan.

Neither Mr Scalise nor Mr Jordan made any hard promises or concessions to their colleagues during the forum, according to reports, so much remains to be seen.

Nancy Mace meanwhile bizarrely attended the forum dressed in a shirt featuring a “scarlet letter” A.

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