EDITORIAL
BY DHIREN SHAH
Hello Readers,
Happy New Year. I wish everyone a happy, healthy, prosperous new year. Every year, many of us start the new year with some resolutions and we do keep them for a short period of time. But as usual, most of us forget and the determination evaporates. Some might have decided to do exercise every day, some might have given up their favorite food, some might have decided not to scold their children. I wish everyone can hang on to their determination and decisions. But it does not happen sometimes in life. So, let’s move on.
The elections are over, and Republicans won a thin majority of the House. The term of previous House Speaker Nancy Pelosi expired at the end of 2022. Now, the majority GOP must elect a new Speaker of the House. California Congressman Kevin McCarthy started gathering support to become Speaker before the election. He worked hard, but still does not have enough support. To qualify to be elected Speaker, a candidate needs 218 votes.
In the first five rounds of voting, all 212 Democrats voted for Hakim Jefferies, who is supported by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Out of 534 congresspersons, McCarthy received even less votes than Jefferies (203, 203, 202, 201, 201) In the fourth and fifth rounds, one person acted as present but did not cast a vote. So now, only 217 votes are there.
Newly elected Florida congressman Matt Gaetz (elected with the support of Donald Trump) has led the House Freedom Caucus. He and 19 other republicans went against McCarthy and put their support behind Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, who is actually supporting McCarthy and does not want the job. So, they are casting their votes behind Rep. Donalds, but he too doesn’t want it. What a disaster!
For McCarthy to win, he needs 16 people to change their minds. Jefferies only needs 11 Republicans to either swing or not cast a vote, which is highly unlikely. Donalds has received as high as 20 votes in the voting as of press time. They are not budging, and nothing can happen in the chamber until a Speaker is elected. They need to do something soon, so the business of the country can proceed.
Recently, Former Orange Councilman Donald Page passed away. I will pray for his soul, and offer my sincere condolences to Page’s family and friends.
In broad daylight, a shooting happened near an elementary school on 8th Street in the West Ward of Newark. About 12 rounds of gunfire wildly filled the area. It was near a Jehovah’s witness establishment and happened Jan. 3.
Have a wonderful week. I’ll talk to you next week.
