Republicans in the US House of Representatives late Wednesday were again unable to vote Kevin McCarthy into the role of House Speaker, as disagreements within the party threaten to sabotage a narrow majority won in the November midterm election. After six rounds of voting over two days, McCarthy has yet to receive the 218 votes needed to take the speaker’s gavel, as a group of around 20 hardline conservatives has refused to back the California Republican. McCarthy has only secured 201 votes in each of the last three rounds of voting, with holdout Republicans voting for an alternative nominee, Byron Donalds, a Florida Republican, and Republican Victoria Spartz of Indiana voting “present.”

The House will reconvene on Thursday at noon. Voting will resume until a candidate reaches the magic number of 218 votes. “I don’t think voting tonight is productive,” McCarthy said on Wednesday, exiting a lengthy closed-door meeting with key holdouts. “I think people need to work a little more. I don’t think a vote tonight would make any difference. But a vote in the future could.’ Some Democrats have expressed to the media their readiness to vote for what they described as a moderate Republican who would be ready to reach a middle ground regarding issues such as government funding and debt ceiling. Until a speaker is chosen, representatives elected to the House cannot be sworn in, leaving Congress’ lower chamber unable to function.

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