The House of Representative’s failure to elect a speaker is creating personal issues among some lawmakers.
Politico reported Rep. Roger Williams’ (R-TX) wife recently suffered a medical emergency.
According to Politico, she was going through treatment this week and Williams wanted to be with her.
Instead of being with her, Williams was stuck in Washington, D.C., going through the failed votes for House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy’s (R-Calif.) bid for speaker.
“This is killing him,” one of Williams’ Republican friends told Politico on Thursday.
The friend added, “I’ve never seen Roger as down as he was yesterday.”
Williams is not the only one to have suffered personally as a result of the speaker process.
Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) reportedly was not feeling well and his colleagues had to convince him it was OK to leave and go home to get some rest.
Politico also mentioned Rep.-elect Wesley Hunt (R-Texas) is ready to go back to Texas after his wife had a child this week.
Additionally, Rep. Kevin Hern’s (R-Okla.) mother passed away this week and he wants to go to her funeral on Saturday, as the outlet explained.
“There’s a lot more at stake than whether Kevin McCarthy’s going to be able to get the gavel,” the aforementioned lawmaker explained to the publication. “We’ve got lives that are being impacted right now, and this is tough for people.”
The House adjourned Thursday evening after McCarthy failed for the 11th time to get elected speaker.
McCarthy told CNN he would not stop until he reached a deal with his opponents.
“It’s all going to be this way until an agreement comes,” he said. “It’s easier if we’re able to all get an agreement together.”
When asked what the point would be when he realizes the outcome might not change, McCarthy replied, “After I win.”
The outlet pointed out the speaker process has become the longest contest in 164 years.