MSNBC's Steve Kornacki has arrived to explain the ongoing fight for House speaker


As the in-fighting to select a new speaker of the House continues among the Republican Party, MSNBC is once again bringing out the nation's most beloved political journalist, Steve Kornacki, to help break everything down.
Kornacki, who has become a fan favorite following his tireless efforts to track the results of the 2020 presidential election, appeared on the network on Wednesday after Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) lost an unprecedented fourth round of voting to become speaker.
Standing by, as always, at MSNBC's "big board," Kornacki explained the course of the House votes.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"It's mathematically impossible for McCarthy now unless somehow, for some reason, a bunch of Democrats later in this vote, abstain, vote present, something like that," Kornacki said. "This is a list of all of the 20 votes who were against McCarthy on the third ballot yesterday ... the first six [Republican] names to be called all have voted for Rep. Byron Donalds [R-Fla.]."
Kornacki noted that the "bloc of opposition" was holding against McCarthy. "Everyone who had voted against [McCarthy] on the third ballot is so far still voting against him," adding that the Democrats were continuing to rally behind Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y).
Kornacki's analysis comes as McCarthy continues to lick his wounds after becoming the first speaker candidate in a century to not be elected on the first ballot. While he was at one point considered a shoo-in for speaker if the GOP took back the House, the race to be the next gavel-holder has clearly been blown wide open.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
How will Wall Street react to the Trump-Powell showdown?
Today's Big Question 'Market turmoil' seems likely
By Joel Mathis, The Week US
-
Google ruled a monopoly over ad tech dominance
Speed Read Attorney General Pam Bondi hailed the ruling as a 'landmark victory in the ongoing fight to stop Google from monopolizing the digital public square'
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
El Salvador's CECOT prison becomes Washington's go-to destination
IN THE SPOTLIGHT Republicans and Democrats alike are clamoring for access to the Trump administration's extrajudicial deportation camp — for very different reasons
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Judge threatens Trump team with criminal contempt
Speed Read James Boasberg attempts to hold the White House accountable for disregarding court orders over El Salvador deportation flights
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Why the GOP is nervous about Ken Paxton's Senate run
Today's Big Question A MAGA-establishment battle with John Cornyn will be costly
By Joel Mathis, The Week US
-
13 potential 2028 presidential candidates for both major parties
In Depth A rare open primary for both parties has a large number of people considering a run for president
By David Faris
-
Biden slams Trump's Social Security cuts
Speed Read In his first major public address since leaving office, Biden criticized the Trump administration's 'damage' and 'destruction'
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
El Salvador refuses to return US deportee
Speed Read President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador said he would not send back the unlawfully deported Kilmar Ábrego García
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
DOGE: Have we passed 'peak Musk'?
Feature The tech billionaire suffered a costly week after a $25 million election loss in Wisconsin and Tesla's largest sale drop on record
By The Week US
-
Trump says electronics tariff break won't last
Speed Read The tariff exemptions on smartphones, laptops and other electronic devices are temporary, the administration says
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Man charged in arson attack on Pennsylvania's Shapiro
Speed Read Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were sleeping when someone set fire to his Harrisburg mansion
By Peter Weber, The Week US