House votes to decide speaker in new day of hard-fought votes and combative rhetoric

The House will decide who will be the next House speaker today in another round of votes pitting Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy against a hard-right faction that has blocked his advance to the leadership position that controls the legislative agenda in the chamber. After a tumultuous Friday, the House reconvened at noon ET and immediately moved to a vote on the motion to adjourn, which was then called off. Two rounds of voting are expected later today, with McCarthy facing off against conservative challenger Jim Jordan and a blank ballot that was included so Republican hardliners can register their opposition. The vote could be called off again if leaders are unable to secure the 217 votes needed to pass the motion. The leadership battle has paralyzed the House, fueling political and ideological divisions and creating a chaotic start to the new Congress. The process of finding a new speaker could be protracted, with a lengthy debate and public negotiations expected.