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Subscribe to RSSThe House will vote tomorrow to elect a Speaker of the House. While it is likely that Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) will be reelected, if 17 conservatives decide to vote against Boehner, it could lead to the first second ballot for speaker since 1923.
There are no indications Boehner will not be re-elected Speaker. While there will likely be members who vote against him, there is no real candidate that could garner enough votes to take Boehner down.
Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) leaves a House Republican Caucus meeting.
The 113th Congress will convene for the first time at noon Thursday, after which the House will vote to elect a speaker.
Members will be called by name alphabetically and asked for their vote. This vote is different than typical votes, which are done electronically during a set period of time.
The next speaker needs a majority of all votes cast to be elected. They do not need a majority of the full membership of the House. The 113th has 434 members because Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.'s seat will be vacant.
If all members were to vote, Boehner would need 218 votes, unless there are members who are absent for the vote or members who vote "present" (for no one).
Since 1913, the year the House reached the size of 435 members, there has only been one time that no candidate received the majority of the votes cast for speaker.
That was in 1923, when nine ballots over three days were needed before Rep. Frederick Gillett (R-MA) was reelected to the position for a third term.
The speaker does not have to be a member of Congress, but in the history of the House of Representatives there has never been a speaker who was not a member.
Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) nominated Newt Gingrich this year during the Republican Conference meeting, but that nomination was not seconded, and Speaker Boehner was nominated by a voice vote (no objectors) to be the Republicans' nominee yet again. Democrats chose to have Nancy Pelosi as their nominee for Speaker of the House.
Between 1943 and 1995, only the nominated Republican and Democrat received votes, but before that, it was customary for members of other groups within parties would garner votes as well.
Since 1913, the speaker has been elected without a majority of the whole House, but with the majority of those voting, only four times:
-- 1917 (65th Congress) -- "Champ" Clark (D-MO) was elected with 217 votes;
-- 1923 (68th Congress) -- Frederick Gillett (R-MA) was elected with 215 votes;
-- 1943 (78th Congress) -- Sam Rayburn (D-TX) was elected with 217 votes;
-- 1997 (105th Congress) -- Newt Gingrich (R-GA) was elected with 216 votes
Recent speaker votes:
-- 2011 (Jan. 5th): Boehner 241, Pelosi 173, Shuler 11, Lewis (GA) 2 Costa 1, Cardoza 1, Cooper 1, Kaptur 1, Hoyer 1, Present 1
-- 2009 (Jan. 6th): Pelosi 255, Boehner 174
-- 2007 (Jan. 4th): Pelosi 233, Boehner 202
-- 2005 (Jan. 4th): Hastert 226, Pelosi 199, Murtha 1, Present 1
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I just hope everyone remembers that the "Speaker" of the House is just that, he speaks for the majority party. He is not the Sasha Baron Cohen "Dictator" of the Republicans like he thinks he is.
He sure does NOT speak for the millions of Republicans in the real world, fire bone head Boehner.
@OFC
You're wrong camel breath ... Boehner is totally the Admiral General for the Glorious Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation.
Implacable, you are a real loser, and for as camel breath that must your upper lip or your spouses!
Technically, he speaks for the entire house. The whole house votes for the Speaker, not just the majority party. But typically, the majority party wins. However, it is possible for a member of the minority party to be elected as Speaker.
The term "leader" and "Boehner" should not be used in the same sentence. His inability to do a deal is simply shocking. That boy is in way over his head. Unfortunately, Cantor is even worse. The GOP really screwed the pooch this time.
Boehner should NOT be Speaker, he is a pure ass coward who has NO guts, he can not, he will not even try to stand up to Obama, Bone Head is a pure ass kisser.
Republican Party may you rest in peace.
lol, all Boehner ever DOES is blindly oppose each and every thing the President says. That's the problem. The Republican party needs to have a leader that works across the aisles, is able to compromise, and willing to work together for the American people -- not for his own agenda and not just for the sake of upsetting the President.
Why would you not want a disfunctional leader to lead the GROUP of GOP losers.No doubt they will be remembered. People always remember losers especially POLITICIANS.Hang in there GOP you have lots of time to continue to show how idiotic and stupid you are. You can always blame it on your constituants that voted for you to represent them,monkey see monkey do.
He's been doing such a GREAT job for the American people so far. </sarcasm>
How very sad to think that John Boehner will be re-elected to his position after doing such a terrible job. He needs to be replaced by a good moderate if there is one who is willing to step forward and give some real leadership. Boehner is a disgrace to the House of Representatives and as an example of a person to represent the people of America. Surely there are some in the HOUSE who are courageous enough to step forward and give some real leadership. If not we will just see more of the negative leadership that we have witness for far too long.
Birds of a Feather
Good for Boehner............his presence as the speaker of the house will be a suitable match for the democrats misfits Pelosi and Reid.
"Boehner likely to be re-elected" If they were smart,they wouldn't. But then again, were talking about DC. At this point,they are ALL a joke.
Boehner drew the "line in the sand" when he said he wouldn't work with the President 4 years ago, total disrespect. So 2 more years will be OK? The only reason he's backing down is he (along with the rest of the GOP) are looking ridiculous and the rest of America is finally seeing this and calling them on it. The new 'fresh' congress should vote him out and get someone new in, that can work with everyone. This stuff doesn't improve until they start working together for everyone, so we will all watch this train wreck.
I love it, a bunch of Recons went against their pledge to Grover. Boner is actually one of the brightest of a very very nutty bunch. You can only get worse. Hopefully the house flips back to normal in 2014
If the GOP is going to break the record they set this session as Worst Congress Ever, during the next session they are going to need The Boehner every step of the way.
Please send the cry baby back to Reading OH.
I believe Harry Reids worlds is starting to crumble!!!! The real blame is starting to come out and Reid you're man Obama has just sold you out. You see Americans have been blaming the wrong ones in congress and now we are starting to see the whole picture. Its you and you're house that is the problem. How do you like being the scapegoat now? Do you really believe Obama will be at you"re back? I doubt that and goodluck you piece of @!$%#, you are scum of the earth.
Pay No Attention to that man behind the Curtain. I am the Great and Powerful OZ!
Hey, so called president you better cancel the rest of you're vacation because the country might need you're so called leadership real soon. I think all hell might break loose. Where are you????????
Cantor will pull a coup and become the next speaker of the House. All work will stop for the next two years while he works on his @!$%#-eating grin.
Like their presidential candidates -- they run their idea of the least worse. Because best doesn't exist in teabillieville.
Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) is the best Tea-Publicans can come up with!!! Take a good look at Romney and Eric Canter!!!! GOOD EXAMPLES OF "THE BEST OF THE BEST"!!!!!!
GOOD GOD HELP US!!!
Bring on the the deficit. You want a fight, you're going to have one!
Great! Now my taxes go up thanks to Obongo so he can spend more, get us further in debt and keep the welfare whore Dumbocrats happy! $20 trillion here we come! Thanks you effing loser bastard and your idiot followers. Bunch of frickin morons.
Aj from OH- Well, where you are from explains everything, and I bet you are a union worker who doesn't give a @!$%# about this country, only about what you think you deserve as a union worker.
No TEA Party Republican and certainly no patriot would vote for that big-spending oligarch as Speaker.
Steven James-574567, I would pay real close attention to the man behind the curtain. I believe it's not just one man but millions and will only grow and grow!
GOP = Same old sh*t. And their legacy continues...
All doubt about why this country is so screwed up has been taken away by the posts here.