Sunday (Jan. 3) will mark the transition between the old and new U.S. Congresses. This day marks the official results of the 116th Congress, and according to the Constitution, the 117th Congress will begin at noon. On that day, the House of Representatives will also vote on the choice of Speaker, with the focus on whether incumbent Speaker Pelosi can succeed in her re-election.
The rare Sunday vote, which will begin at 2:30 p.m. EST, will determine whether Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) dominance of the House will be extended, according to comprehensive media reports. She served two terms as House speaker and led the Democratic Party for nearly 20 years.
Pelosi was confident Sunday in the speaker’s race, saying a vote on the speaker later Sunday would show the unity of House Democrats and would re-elect her.
“I am very grateful for the confidence members have placed in me,” Pelosi said Sunday in a letter to her caucus.
“I am confident that today’s election for Speaker will show that Democrats are united and ready to meet the challenges ahead, and that we are ready to set our country on a new path, starting with the Electoral College meeting on Wednesday (Jan. 6).” Pelosi said. She was referring to the joint session of Congress that will be held on Jan. 6 on the results of the Electoral College votes submitted by the states for the U.S. presidential election.
Within the new House of Representatives, Democrats currently hold 222 seats, Republicans hold 210 seats and there are three vacancies. The Democrats have slightly more seats than the Republicans. Although Pelosi is likely to succeed in re-election, but not without challenges. The Hill says at least three re-elected House members are not expected to endorse Pelosi on Sunday.
The House had voted on a new speaker in January 2019, when 15 Democratic lawmakers opposed Pelosi’s appointment. But this time, even with all 222 Democratic House members present, Pelosi cannot lose more than five Democratic votes to ensure passage of the 217 threshold votes.
House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy (Kevin McCarthy) will also compete for the speaker’s post and is expected to get the support of almost all Republican lawmakers (210 votes).
If no candidate receives 217 votes, the House will continue to vote until a Speaker is elected.
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