Representative Nancy Pelosi had been given a “hideaway” office suite as a courtesy — one that was rescinded after she did nothing to help Representative Kevin McCarthy.
Representative Patrick T. McHenry of North Carolina, who took the gavel, may oversee the election of a new speaker. But he does not have the power to run the chamber.
The No. 2 Republican and the chairman of the Judiciary Committee appear to be in the strongest positions in the early stages of the sprint to choose a new speaker.