WASHINGTON – The United States Capitol was calm. 

Tour groups wound through the ornate building and stopped periodically to gaze at the art decorating the walls. People played frisbee on the vast green lawn or had picnics under the shade of swaying trees. Employees weaved in and out of offices, carrying stacks of paper and cups of coffee.

It gave all the indications of a normal day on the Hill. But beneath the marble floors, in the dimly lit tunnels of the Capitol basement, a completely different scene was unfolding. 

It had been over a week since former Speaker Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R, CA) was ousted from his position, and Republicans were frantic to fill the vacancy and bring unity to their divided party. 

Dozens of reporters were crammed into the narrow brick-lined halls — cameras and questions at the ready — as Republican members of Congress streamed past. With hardly any room to move, the journalists shuffled along behind the politicians as they walked, voice recorders raised to catch their answers — or their silence.

The tunnel was bustling, but progress was slow as the politicians struggled to come to an agreement on who would claim the key role. 

The urgency to fill the speaker position has only grown as the government barrels toward another government shutdown when current funding expires on Nov. 17, while wars rage in both Ukraine and Gaza. 

For several days, members of the Republican conference have descended into the Capitol tunnels for private meetings and secret votes. But the speaker seat remains empty, leaving the House effectively paralyzed in a time when action is desperately needed. 

Below is a photo story detailing the events of the past week — taking you into the tunnels where the race for the speaker’s gavel continues: