Chaos in U.S. Congress

Deadlock over who will lead the incoming Republican-controlled House of Representatives and scandal engulfing a newly elected Republican representative is rocking Congress
      

Midterm election results (November 2022) 

435-seat House of Representatives
Democrats   213	Republicans   222

100-seat Senate
Democrats   51	Republicans   49


1 Kevin McCarthy, 57: California representative loses three consecutive votes for Speaker, failing to reach required 218 vote threshold. 
Intra-party power struggle sees 19 mostly pro-Trump House Freedom Caucus conservatives voting against McCarthy

2 Jim Jordan, 58: Representative from Ohio and hardline co-founder of House Freedom Caucus is potential alternative to McCarthy.
As Speaker, Jordan is expected to push for steep cuts to social services and oppose abortion and LGBTQ rights

3 George Santos, 34: Republican elected in midterms to represent New York Jewish communities of Long Island and Queens. Cannot be sworn in until Speaker is elected.
Falsifications include claims he is Jewish, and that his grandparents fled Holocaust – they were born in Brazil. Admits false claims over college education, and working for Goldman Sachs and Citigroup. Faces criminal case in Brazil for using stolen chequebook

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Sources: Bloomberg, Politico, Reuters, Washington Post 
Pictures: Getty Images 
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