All Talk And No Speaker

Republicans have failed, again, to select a new House speaker. Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio – the far-right Republican who’s already lost two full floor votes – said he will continue his bid for the role, despite failing to convince the holdouts from his own party. About 20 trucks carrying vital humanitarian aid for Gaza are waiting on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing, though it’s not clear when they will be allowed to enter. Meanwhile, President Biden, in a live address from the Oval Office, called on Americans to stand with Israel and Ukraine – making the case that the U.S. must help on both fronts. And in headlines: Former Trump lawyer Sidney Powell pleaded guilty for her role in the Georgia election interference case, California Senator Laphonza Butler said she will not run for a full term in 2024, and SAG-AFTRA has some Halloween costume advice for its members on strike.