If no speaker is elected, the House of Representatives cannot properly come into session and begin conducting regular business until a Speaker is elected. The House cannot pass any laws, and the country cannot pass any laws, which leaves the government without a functional government. Until a new speaker is chosen, members of the Congress cannot be sworn in. The speaker pro tempore, currently Patrick McHenry, is limited in his powers and likely unable to conduct any normal legislative business. His primary task is to organize the election of a new speaker. If an impasse over choosing someone for that position ensues, the House could grant McHenry time-limited authority to preside over debate and votes on ordinary bills, but that would take a majority vote. If committees are not fully operational, they will not be able to properly review and amend legislation, potentially slowing down the governments agenda. In 1923, it took nine ballots across three days before a speaker was elected.