Meet Cheryl Johnson, the Woman Directing Congress Through Historic Chaos

With no speaker, appointee keeps squabbling lawmakers in line
Some members call her ‘Madam Speaker’ as McCarthy’s bid flails

House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) failed for a seventh time to get a majority vote for speaker despite offering his GOP detractors concessions, including a simpler way to oust him should he ultimately win the election for the job.Source: Bloomberg

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By Ryan Teague Beckwith and Zach C Cohen

January 5, 2023 at 8:09 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

House Clerk Cheryl Johnson has become an unlikely folk hero in Washington this week, running the lower chamber of Congress with a steady hand as Republicans struggle to elect a speaker amid historic chaos.

Deploying only her own custom gavel and gently chiding words, Johnson has guided the House through multiple rounds of voting on live TV, pushing back when members of both parties get off topic or step out of line.