The nation's political attention is focused on the ongoing debacle of the election of the Speaker of the House. That's not good for our House majority. The inability to elect a Speaker surely has the discerning electorate asking the question: Are they worthy of the gavel?

It had not happened in a century – the failure of the House to elect a Speaker on Jan. 3. And, after multiple days of voting, the GOPs pick for Speaker, Kevin McCarthy, has slowly moved closer to winning. Twenty members of the majority's right flank were steadfast in their opposition to McCarthy, but progress has been made. As I send this to you, the House is scheduled to come back into session at 10 p.m. ET tonight.

While I am hopeful we will see white smoke from the chimney tonight, hope is never a method. Rest assured, I will be here voting until we get it done.

No matter the outcome tonight, we can all agree this debacle was not a good start to 2023.

I have repeatedly said how we govern early in the 118th Congress will frame our effectiveness over the next two years. With a narrow, four-seat majority, it is essential we hit the ground running and quickly execute our Commitment to America. After several days, House members have still not been sworn in. A chamber full of representatives who have yet to take their oaths of office – it's hard to wrap one's head around it. In the spirit of Oaklawn, when the starting gates opened, the new majority threw its jockey.