Kevin McCarthy elected U.S. House Speaker in 15th round of voting
The Hindu
After four days of gruelling ballots, Kevin McCarthy flipped more than a dozen conservative holdouts to become supporters
Republican leader Kevin McCarthy was elected the U.S. House speaker on January 7 breaking through GOP opposition as the chamber convened for a historic 15th vote after he made extraordinary gains in a gruelling standoff that has tested American democracy and the GOP majority’s ability to govern.
After four days of gruelling ballots, Mr. McCarthy flipped more than a dozen conservative holdouts to become supporters, including the chairman of the chamber’s Freedom Caucus, leaving him just a few shy of seizing the gavel for the new Congress.
As the House resumed for the late night session Mr. McCarthy had been on the cusp of victory in the 14th round but he fell one vote short.
He strode to the back of the chamber to confront Matt Gaetz, sitting with Lauren Boebert and other holdouts. Fingers were pointed, words exchanged and violence apparently just averted.
At one point, Republican Mike Rogers of Alabama started to charge toward Gaetz before another Republican, Richard Hudson, physically pulled him back.
“Stay civil!” someone shouted.
Republicans quickly moved to adjourn, but then McCarthy rushed forward to switch his vote to remain in session as colleagues chanted “One more time!”
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