WASHINGTON — One of Kevin McCarthy’s top antagonists almost missed his chance to vote against the California Republican for House speaker on Thursday because he was talking on TV.
Rep. Scott Perry (R.-Pa.), was being interviewed on Fox News Live from an outside camera as the House finished its seventh vote to determine who would lead the institution. Reporters observed Perry’s colleagues trying to get his attention.
“Scott, you’re going to miss the vote,” Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz. said.
Inside the chamber, the clerk invited any members who hadn’t voted to come to the “well” You can do this from the House floor. Perry entered the chamber and walked up the dais to be informed that he was not being recorded. He Then he voted for Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla.
“I was talking to folks and I was late, that’s all,” Perry spoke to The Sunday Review afterwards. “You ever been late to anything?”
He Added that speaking on TV Because the American people were so receptive to it, it was very useful “deserve to know what’s going on.”
On Thursday, there were nine votes in the House for speaker. McCarthy But, he hasn’t been able secure a majority. It wouldn’t have affected the outcome if Perry had missed the vote, but there has been so little variation from ballot to ballot that lawmakers have looked to even tiny changes as signals of one side or the other gaining momentum. When Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.) started voting “present” For example, Wednesday after you have voted McCarthy This was huge news Tuesday.
Over the three-day period, the members began to drift in and out from the chamber as the clerk ordered alphabetical order. Perry and the other McCarthy Particularly, opponents have been congregating in the rooms surrounding Capitol. McCarthy They are willing to listen.
Perry, who is also the Chair of the Right-Wing House Freedom Caucus has been the leader of the opposition. McCarthyHe was portrayed as an animal of D.C. swamp, who is unwilling to fight for Democrats or control government wasteful spending. Perry also deeply involved in former President Donald Trump’s effort to overthrow the 2020 election.)
Perry and his associates have no other candidate to win over the Republicans. They have however apparently been reluctant. McCarthy’s offers to change House rules in order to empower rank-and-file lawmakers. There is no sign of an end to the standoff.
But there’s one thing Perry and his gang are definitely getting out of the standoff so far: lots of attention and TV time.
