At this point, resignation appears to be setting in at the House of Representatives.
For the sixth straight time, Kevin McCarthy did not have enough votes to become Speaker of the House. And for the third straight time, the vote tally was exactly the same.
Where the House goes from here is anyone’s guess.
The latest list of demands coming from the recalcitrant 20 Republicans who have voted for someone other than McCarthy include plum committee assignments and greater representation for the chamber’s hardcore conservatives in the party’s House leadership groups.
The chamber has now voted to adjourn until later this evening. Whether Republicans in the intervening time can come up with an agreement on speaker is far from certain.
One thing is clear, however. The chances of McCarthy winning the gavel today – or ever – seem lower than they did even this morning.