A way out of the speakership fight?
To be elected speaker of the house, Pelosi needs a majority (not a plurality) of the votes cast. If all 435 members cast votes, she needs 218. At this point, it is likely that there will be between 233 and 235 Democrats in Congress. If we assume that the number is 234, and every member of the House votes, Pelosi can't afford to have 17 or more vote for someone else.
But, for each two members that abstain from voting Pelosi needs one less vote. So if eight Democrats abstain (i.e., don't vote for Pelosi, but don't vote for anyone else), then there will be 427 votes cast and Pelosi will need 214 votes. If 12 don't vote, there will be 423 votes cast and she'll need 212 votes.
Thus, the answer may be for the "Never Nancy" crowd to simply not vote. That way they can say they didn't support her for the Speaker position but at the same time, lower the bar for her reelection as speaker.
= new reply since forum marked as read
They're suggesting that even if they lose the Caucus vote, they are committed to voting for new Leadership on the House floor.
Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution states: "The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers." The Speaker is elected by roll call vote when each new House first convenes. Customarily, the conference of each major party nominates a candidate whose name is placed in nomination. Although the Constitution does not require the Speaker to be a member of the House, all Speakers have been members. Members normally vote for the candidate of their own party conference, but could vote for any individual, whether nominated or not. To be elected, a candidate must receive an absolute majority of votes cast, which may be less than a majority of full membership of the House, because of absentees of Members voting "present." If no candidate receives the requisite majority, the roll call is repeated until a Speaker is elected.
