US Congress Commemorates Jan.6 Attack Amid Paralyzing House Speaker Debacle

(Photo : Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images)
Two years after the violent attack at the US Capitol, Congress faces another crisis.

Two years have passed since the US Capitol insurrection. Legislators attended Friday's moment of silence in the Capitol to remember the attack on the building on January 6, 2021.

Both Democrats and Republicans held news conferences on Thursday in remembrance of those affected by the assault before the House convened on Friday, per USA Today.

US Congress Paralyzed

According to AP News, in a ceremony at the White House, US President Joe Biden would honor a dozen state and local officials, election workers, and police officers with Presidential Citizens Medals for their "exemplary" actions of service for their nation or their fellow Americans in protecting the integrity of the 2020 election results and managing the Jan. 6 attack at the Capitol. Though, it was expected that few Republicans would show up.

As we observe the solemn remembrance of the events of Jan. 6, I'm reminded of what the late, great John Lewis once said: "Freedom is the continuous action we all must take, and each generation must do its part to create an even more fair, more just society.” pic.twitter.com/RYQIbkaOLr
— Rep. Hank Johnson (@RepHankJohnson) January 6, 2023

Insurgents stormed the country's Capitol two years ago, and now the world sees a very different picture: one of turbulence in US democracy.

The legislative arm of government has been immobilized once again, this time not by violence but by a protracted fight inside the Republican Party to choose who would head the House of Representatives as speaker. A House speaker has not been chosen as the first week of the 118th Congress draws to a conclusion.

Some 20 conservatives have refused to vote for Kevin McCarthy, the head of the House Republican Conference, even though he has always received a majority of Republican votes. These individuals support more moderate Republicans like Byron Donalds of Florida and Kevin Hern of Oklahoma.

Without them, McCarthy won't have had enough support to win the House leadership. All 10 votes cast in support of Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries were approved by a unanimous 212-vote margin.

The Impact of The US House Speaker Debacle

Since US Congress is paralyzed, no rules can be passed or representatives sworn in until a replacement is chosen for the vacant top seat in the House of Representatives, according to CNBC.

Due to the absence of a speaker, the House has been unable to approve a set of rules for the next Congress. The Republicans have been unable to appoint committee chairmen or begin work. According to Politico, committee employees might forfeit their salaries if the House doesn't enact regulations by January 13.

The article indicated that the delays may potentially affect House staffers' access to student debt forgiveness programs. Politicians responsible for the confusion may not understand how much it is hurting their personnel. Members of the House of Representatives normally begin receiving their salaries on January 3.

Moreover, Democrats have underlined that the lack of a speaker is endangering US national security since legislators cannot take the oath of office until one is elected as a speaker.

Hearings cannot be held without committee chairmen, and ongoing investigations from the previous Congress come to a halt. The catastrophe has delayed GOP-led committee examinations of the Biden administration, which are certain to consume the early stages of the new split government.

In their arguments for McCarthy's election and breaking the deadlock, three possible GOP committee chairs said that the delay has made it harder for them to keep an eye on the Biden administration and protect national security.

At least Congress has enacted legislation financing the government until September 30, preventing a shutdown that might have displaced federal employees and crippled government operations early this year.