After voting in a chaotic record-setting 15th round, Republican Kevin McCarthy ultimately won the support he required to be elected as Speaker of the US House of Representatives. The results of the 14th round of voting were announced just before the final round began. McCarthy had been predicted to finally secure a majority and take control of the Republican-controlled House. Still, his victory lap was cut short by a right-wing uprising inside the party, which made the race one of the longest in US history.
McCarthy received 216 votes in the 14th round of voting
McCarthy had hoped to win the gavel in the 14th round before the stroke of midnight on Friday, but amid Republican infighting, he suffered a shocking loss after falling short by just one vote out of more than 400 casts.
Kevin McCarthy received 216 votes in the 14th round of voting, while Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic nominee, received 212. Two representatives voted in favour of Andy Biggs and Jim Jordan. These results show that McCarthy was just one vote short of the necessary number to win. Six Republicans abstained from voting or supported different candidates after McCarthy made his “It’s going to happen” prediction hours earlier.
Since 1859, the chamber has not experienced such high levels of Congressional dysfunction
He had scheduled an hours-long break for the chamber, with MPs returning at 10 p.m. (0300 GMT Saturday) for a second round of voting in the hopes of garnering enough support to win. Hardline Representative Matt Gaetz delayed his vote in favor of McCarthy, which proved to be the turning point. Party leadership members surrounded the Florida Republican for a while, pleading with him to reconsider before conceding defeat.
After a week of repeated votes that revealed Republicans’ differences and cast doubt on their capacity to rule, the drawn-out fight left the House without direction. Since 1859, the chamber has not experienced such high levels of Congressional dysfunction. After McCarthy clinched victory, US President Joe Biden vowed to work with every lawmaker including the Republicans.
“I am prepared to work with Republicans when I can,” he said. “This is a time to govern responsibly and to ensure that we’re putting the interests of American families first.”
