20 Republicans oppose McCarthy again in fourth vote, one votes ‘present’

Top House Republican Kevin McCarthy on Wednesday came up short yet again in a fourth round of voting as he pushes to become his chamber’s next speaker. Twenty GOP lawmakers opposed him and voted for Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida, while Rep. Victoria Spartz of Indiana voted “present” after backing McCarthy on Tuesday. McCarthy got support from 201 Republicans in the fourth vote. He had faced 20 defections in a third vote held on Tuesday, up from 19 in the first two rounds. The California congressman can absorb no more than four GOP defections given his party’s 222-212 majority, but more than that number keep voting against him. A fifth round of voting is expected.

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