It’s Day 2 of the search for a Speaker, with Congressman Kevin McCarthy — the GOP leader — struggling to find enough votes to put him over the top. Clay & Buck break down what this means for the next two years of Republican governance.

HAPPENING NOW: House of Representatives gathers for Round 4 of Speaker vote after Kevin McCarthy fails to secure position yesterday. pic.twitter.com/dBos4YCChm

— Forbes (@Forbes) January 4, 2023

The Kevin McCarthy story you need to be talking about:

He’s trying to gut the Office of Congressional Ethics.

Literally the people tasked with investigating Congressional wrongdoing.

This is so, so bad.

— Citizens for Ethics (@CREWcrew) January 4, 2023

JUST IN: After a round of applause for #KevinMcCarthy, Rep. Matt Gaetz interrupts Mike Gallagher’s nomination by yelling, “Gallagher for Speaker!”

Gallagher responds, “He’s definitely out of order.” pic.twitter.com/ra9ZfNiSOQ

— Forbes (@Forbes) January 4, 2023

Surreal to watch GOP Congressmen giving a standing ovation to Kevin McCarthy today when 80%+ of Republican voters can’t stand the guy

Talk about being out of touch with base

— Rogan O’Handley (@DC_Draino) January 4, 2023

Whose party is this? Does it belong to McCarthy, Trump, or someone else? For whatever it means, the former president is going heavy in his support for McCarthy.

Trump brokers meeting between McCarthy, House Freedom Caucus leader ahead of next speaker vote | Just The News https://t.co/I4AfjiNSUh

— John Solomon (@jsolomonReports) January 4, 2023

I predict that even with the endorsement of President Donald Trump, Kevin McCarthy will again fall short of the votes necessary to become Speaker today.

— Roger Stone (@RogerJStoneJr) January 4, 2023

This story continues to develop, and we consider to monitor it.

WATCH: @chiproytx nominates Rep. Byron Donalds for Speaker of the House pic.twitter.com/CRUWplH8t4

— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) January 4, 2023

‘Taliban 20’ digs in against Kevin McCarthy as House tries again to pick speaker https://t.co/795jWXjtyN pic.twitter.com/atZ6zrZ5sR

— New York Post (@nypost) January 4, 2023

Lauren Boebert suggests that they will push for Jim Jordan to become the Speaker of the House despite him not wanting the job:

“If we have the numbers, then sorry Jim Jordan, we are going to make you do what’s right for the country.” pic.twitter.com/OR6iCzz4G0

— The Republican Accountability Project (@AccountableGOP) January 3, 2023

What do you think the GOP’s messy battle in the House means for the stop-Biden agenda? Tweet us your take @ClayAndBuck — or, if you’re a 24/7 VIP, send us an email.