The House of Representatives has been holding a series of votes to select a Speaker, with the 14th vote taking place today. Previous ballots have resulted in a deadlock, with 21 Republican congressmen-elect casting votes against Congressman-elect Kevin McCarthy. Despite this, McCarthy has said that he believes he will secure the necessary votes to win the Speaker’s position.
After 15 ballots, Republican Kevin McCarthy of California has been elected as the new Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. McCarthy becomes the 55th speaker in the nation’s history, following a series of intense votes and negotiations.
As the clerk announced that the congressman had won the election with 216 votes, the chamber gave him a standing ovation. The Democratic Nancy Pelosi won the same number of votes to win the position in 2021.
In the final vote for the speakership, McCarthy received 216 votes, while Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries received 212 votes. Six representatives voted “present.”
In a message to Kevin McCarthy upon his victory as House Speaker, US President Joe Biden said:
“Jill and I congratulate Kevin McCarthy on his election as Speaker of the House. As I said after the midterms, I am prepared to work with Republicans when I can and voters made clear that they expect Republicans to be prepared to work with me as well. Now that the leadership of the House of Representatives has been decided it is time for that process to begin.”
Donald Trump, a former president, added his voice as well, writing on Truth Social:
“The ‘Speaker’ selection process, as crazy as it may seem, has made it all much bigger and more important than if done the more conventional way. Congratulations to Kevin McCarthy and our GREAT Republican Party!”
In a previous vote to select a Speaker, McCarthy fell one vote short of the necessary number to win. Despite this, the House of Representatives rejected the motion to adjourn and moved on to hold a 15th ballot.
Matt Gaetz (R-FL), who destroyed McCarthy’s prospects on the fourteenth round, had once again cast a “present” vote. Rep.-elect Jim Jordan received Bob Good’s support, a Republican who sits in the House of Representatives and represents Virginia’s Fifth Congressional District.
According to sources, former President Donald Trump spoke with Representatives Andy Biggs and Matt Gaetz.
When Montana’s Republican Representative Ryan Zinke cast his vote in the House of Representatives, it secured the necessary votes for Kevin McCarthy to win the Speaker’s gavel. The GOP erupted in applause at this news.
The House is now controlled by Republicans 222-212, however throughout the nomination process, a total of 21 Republicans had voted against the House Republican Leader.
On Friday, a group of 15 previously undecided Republican representatives announced their support for McCarthy, providing momentum for him to secure the position of Speaker. As a result, McCarthy, a Republican from California, appeared to be on track to win the coveted post.
Before the 14th vote took place, McCarthy expressed confidence in his chances, telling reporters:
“When we come back tonight, we’ll have the votes to get this done once and for all. It just reminds me of what my father always told me, it’s not about how you start, it’s about how you finish.”
The recent vote to select a Speaker marked the first time in over 100 years that the House of Representatives has failed to elect a speaker on the first ballot and the first time since 1859 that it has taken more than ten ballots.
Now that the speakership has been decided, the House can move forward with other business such as administering the oath of office to newly elected members.
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