Congresswoman Joyce Beatty said during a visit to Columbus that her constituents are frustrated over the fight to elect a new U.S. House speaker.
Beatty took a break from the paralyzing politics in Washington, D.C., Monday during a visit back home in her district to campaign for Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther. Beatty said that constituents told her they're upset over what's happening, or rather not happening, in Washington.
"My constituents here right at home in Ohio, they have a right to ask questions to be upset. They're watching what's happening. They know that Democrats have put people over politics," Beatty said.
Like every other Democratic congress member, Joyce Beatty has stood behind Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York in each of the votes for U.S. House Speaker since the representatives dismissed Kevin McCarthy from the role Oct. 3.
But, even with a united front, the minority party doesn't have enough members in the House to stand up to the Republican candidates, though that party is struggling to unify behind a speaker.
"We are a country without a speaker. The Republican Party is in chaos. They're putting politics over speaker. Democrats know we could have had a bipartisan pathway to victory," Beatty said.
Republicans have failed to rally around a member who can reach the needed majority. Both Steve Scalise of Louisiana and Ohio's 4th District Rep. Jim Jordan came up short.
Fellow Central Ohio congressmembers Mike Carey, Troy Balderson and Brad Wenstrup have each supported the party's main nominees and were not a part of the small groups of Republicans who voted to oust McCarthy or voted against Jordan on the house floor.
Comparing her views on the race "a glass half full" Beatty said she's optimistic Republicans can reach a decision soon, but cast doubt on Republican's ability to get the needed votes. Nine Republicans have declared campaigns for speaker in the latest round.
"When we go back by Wednesday, it is their program to come out of their civil war, out of their chaos, to put before the entire body. But the magical number, 217 is yet to be seen," Beatty said.
