MNI POLITICAL RISK - House To Hold Second Speaker Ballot Today

Executive Summary:

• Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-OH) yesterday fell short in the first ballot to elect the next Speaker of the House of Representatives. His 200 votes matched the lowest total achieved by former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) over 15 ballots in January. The House is scheduled to came back into session today for a second speaker vote at around 12:00 ET 17:00 BST.
• Should Jordan fail to make progress today, calls for the bipartisan installation of Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry (R-NC), into an enhanced roll, will intensify.
• President Biden arrived in Israel this morning for a high-risk trip to lend support to Israel and prevent the war in Gaza expanding into a broader regional conflict. Biden is also determined to temper the Israeli response to prevent civilian causalities, allow the provision of aid, and press for the release of hostages.
• Biden is reportedly considering a supplemental request to Congress which could total upward of USD$100 billion to cover security assistance to Ukraine and Israel, provisions to secure the southern border with Mexico, and aid to Indo-Pacific allies.
• Kyiv yesterday used long-range ATACMS missiles for the first time after receiving a covert shipment of the weapons from the Pentagon.
• Venezuelan government and opposition officials yesterday failed to agree the requisite terms for the US to approve sanctions relief on oil exports.
• Poll of the Day: Americans are more likely to blame Republicans than Democrats for the current gridlock in Congress.

Please find the full article attached below:

MNIPOLRISKUSDaily181023.pdf