Members of congress say they are unable to receive classified information as Kevin McCarthy loses 6th vote to become House speaker in 2 days

Members of congress are speaking out about national security concerns as Kevin McCarthy tries to get the votes he needs to become speaker.

There are no members of the Congress as swearing-in ceremonies have been delayed due to the pursuit of a speaker. Several members of Congress said that the procedural hold-up and GOP infighting have restricted their access to classified information.

The number of Republicans voting against McCarthy went from 19 to 21 by the sixth round of voting on Wednesday. Members of the America First caucus voted against McCarthy.

The voting process exposed deep rifts in the party and left McCarthy with apparent waning support from Donald Trump, who spoke up and encouraged GOP members to choose McCarthy instead of Donalds.

McCarthy had been unsuccessful in his attempts to become House speaker.

In a press conference on Wednesday, one of McCarthy's allies said that he and his colleagues were unable to receive intelligence briefings because they had not received the clearance associated with being sworn members of Congress.

In the press conference, he said that he didn't have a clearance. I cannot meet in the SCIF to conduct essential business because I am a member of the Intel Committee.

He said that he was going to meet with Milley. The members of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence don't have access to anything, according to the congressman.

We can't go in there right now because we work in a secure facility. We are in there all the time. We cannot be in there right now.

The lapse in clearance has hampered the ability of Congress to function in its oversight role and presents a clear threat to national security.

—House Armed Services Democrats (@HASCDemocrats) January 4, 2023

"Members of Congress can't receive classified information until the Members are sworn in, leaving us in the dark on sensitive developments worldwide and unable to perform the oversight duties that the American people elected us to perform."

Democrats are being told to stay in DC until a speaker is elected.