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.
-
Is Ron DeSantis losing steam in Florida?
Today's Big Question Legislative Republicans defy a lame-duck governor
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Trump says 25% tariffs on Canada, Mexico start Feb. 1
Speed Read The tariffs imposed on America's neighbors could drive up US prices and invite retaliation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump blames diversity, Democrats for DC air tragedy
Speed Read The president suggested that efforts to recruit more diverse air traffic controllers contributed to the deadly air crash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
What's the future of FEMA under Trump?
Today's Big Question The president has lambasted the agency and previously floated disbanding it altogether
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
White House withdraws Trump's spending freeze
Speed Read President Donald Trump's budget office has rescinded a directive that froze trillions of dollars in federal aid and sowed bipartisan chaos
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OpenAI announces ChatGPT Gov for government use
Speed Read The artificial intelligence research company has launched a new version of its chatbot tailored for the US government
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Caroline Kennedy urges Senate to reject RFK Jr.
Speed Read Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s cousin said he should not become President Donald Trump's health secretary, calling his medical views 'dangerous'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
GOP senator reneged on voting against Hegseth
Speed Read North Carolina senator Thom Tillis provided the deciding vote to confirm Pete Hegseth as defense secretary
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published