What happens if the House can't elect a Speaker?

[Mr. Morden]

Let's say the Dems make big gains in next week's election, but not enough to capture a majority of the House of Reps.  The GOP maintains a majority in the House, but it's a narrow one.  Freedom Caucus and whatever fellow travellers they have block Ryan's reelection as Speaker.  But no one else is able to muster a majority vote in the House to be elected Speaker.  What happens?

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

It depends. If enuf are willing to abstain, precedent says you don't need a majority of the whole number, just a majority of those voting.

[Mr. Morden]

It depends. If enuf are willing to abstain, precedent says you don't need a majority of the whole number, just a majority of those voting.

Right, I'm talking about nobody being able to get a majority of those voting.  Suppose the renegade GOP members vote for some alternative option rather than abstain.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Then we get months with the House unable to organize itself. In the 34th Congress it took two months and 133 ballots to choose Nathaniel Banks as Speaker by a plurality of the members. There's nothing to say we couldn't face a similar lengthy conclave before they can announce, "Habemus dicens!"