Filed by KOSU News in US News.
January 3, 2013

The 113th Congress is now in session. The gavels have been dropped in both the House and Senate. So, work on the People’s Business has begun.

The first bit of news to watch for is the election of the speaker in the House. It’s expected that the incumbent, Republican Rep. John Boehner of Ohio, will win more than the 215 votes needed to keep that post (there are 429 members present today; if all 435 were there, he would need 218). We’ll watch and update as the story develops.

Democrats, with the help of two independents, have a 55-45 edge in the Senate. Republicans control the House, with a 234-199 advantage in seats (there are now two vacancies).

Update at 12:55 p.m. ET. Two Votes For Former Rep. Allen West:

There have now been six “present” or “protest” votes for someone else. Former Rep. Allen West, R-Fla., has gotten two. He’s a Tea Party favorite.

Update at 12:43 p.m. ET. A Few “Protest” Votes:

Though no Republican’s name was put forward to oppose Boehner, there have been a few “present” votes or votes for others. Rep. Paul Labrador, R-Idaho, has gotten a vote. So has former Secretary of State Colin Powell (you do not have to be a member of the House to be elected speaker).

Update at 12:34 p.m. ET. No Challenge:

The clerk just asked if there are any other nominations. There were none. So, Boehner is not being directly challenged from within his party. That means — unless things have turned upside down — he will be reelected speaker. Earlier, Rep. McMorris Rodgers said he had the unanimous support of the GOP conference.

Update at 12:33 p.m. ET. Pelosi Is Nominated:

Though Democrats don’t have the numbers to elect a speaker on their own, they do have the right to put forward a nominee. Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Calif., just nominated former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

Update at 12:31 p.m. ET. Boehner Is Nominated:

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., just put the speaker’s name forward. [Copyright 2013 National Public Radio]