Paul Kirby reports in the Daily Freeman that Republican Rep. Marc Molinaro said on Oct. 4 that he does not know who he will back to become the House speaker after Kevin McCarthy was removed from the post. Molinaro represents the 19th Congressional District and voted on Oct. 3 against McCarthy’s removal. Now Molinaro wants to speak with the potential speaker candidates. He said, “I have not yet decided who I’m backing to be the next speaker and am willing to sit down with anyone who is interested in the job to hear their ideas and impress upon them the importance of having voices in Upstate New York heard." For the next week, the federal government is ground to a halt, as no business can happen in the House of Representatives until Republicans pick a new leader. Molinaro said, “I get the frustration with the current state of paralysis.... I’m frustrated too. This can’t be business as usual. We have to move quick, stop the infighting and get back to governing.” Eight ultra-conservative Republicans voted to oust McCarthy without a plan for a new speaker. Read more about this story in the Daily Freeman.