Today, Republican foes of House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) kept him from getting close to a majority in a fifth round of voting for speaker that has now stretched over two days. Prior to the vote, Republican Lauren Boebert (Colo.) said former president Donald Trump called the defectors to tell them “they need to knock this off.” Boebert, among 20 Republicans who voted for Republican Byron Donalds (Fla.), said Trump should do the opposite — call McCarthy, tell him he lacks the votes and should withdraw. One Republican, Victoria Spartz (Ind.), again voted present.
