Biden on House Speaker Debacle: ‘It’s Embarrassing for the Country’
The House of Representatives remains unable to function as speaker's fight drags on
President Biden weighed in on the continuing debacle underway in the US House of Representatives, saying that he is concerned as the chamber cannot function while the protracted fight over the speakership drags into a third day.
Asked about the matter on-camera by a reporter, Biden said, “Obviously, I am” concerned that, at present, the nation has a House of Representatives unable to function.
The House remains unable to conduct business — or even more fully organize itself or swear-in members — because Republicans continue to rebuff efforts by House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy to be elected speaker.
The House finds itself in its first protracted battle for the speaker's gavel for the first time in a century, as McCarthy has lost six successive rounds of balloting for House speaker over two days.
The House adjourned Wednesday night with no resolution, or path forward, in sight.
Elaborating on his concern over the spectacle, Biden said, “One, it’s embarrassing for the country. I mean, literally. Now, I’m not making a [inaudible]. It’s just the reality is that, you know, to be able — have a Congress that can’t function is just embarrassing. We’re the greatest nation in the world. How can that be?
“And we’ve had a lot of trouble with — I’m sorry for the noise — a lot of trouble with the attacks on our institutions already,” the president added, standing on an airstrip. “And that’s what worries me more than anything else.”
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