Biden slams House Speaker impasse, says Republican infighting 'embarrassing'

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - US President Joe Biden sharply criticized an ongoing impasse in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, saying Republican infighting over the election of the next Speaker is a global embarrassment.

The comments come after marathon votes to elect the House's next top official culminated late Tuesday with the chamber adjourning after three rounds of voting failed to result in a victor.

A core group of 20 Republican detractors repeatedly prevented Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy from being able to claim the Speaker's gavel, throwing their weight behind Representative Jim Jordan in a public rebuke to the long-serving senior Republican.

McCarthy can afford to lose just four members of his caucus if he is to secure enough votes to claim a majority in the 435-member chamber.

Biden said the delay is "embarrassing," maintaining that "the rest of the world is looking" at the partisan dysfunction. Still, the president maintained the Republican feud is "not my problem," emphasizing that he is focused on "getting things done."

Earlier Tuesday, former US President Donald Trump urged the rebellious Republicans, who are largely aligned with his Make America Great Again movement, to drop their opposition and back McCarthy.

The House is set to reconvene at noon Wednesday for what is slated to be another showdown between McCarthy and his rank-and-file.