Finally, a breakthrough.
Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., has become the 55th speaker of the House after a historic 15 rounds of voting.
Following a days-long impasse, Republican leadership broke the deadlock on the 12th ballot when 14 Republicans switched their votes to Kevin McCarthy. It wasn't enough to give McCarthy the majority needed to wield the speaker's gavel, but it signified an undeniable shift in momentum.
More talks, and conversions, followed.
First came Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., who switched his vote in the 13th round. At that point, there were six hardline members still opposing McCarthy. Some remained defiant to the last.
Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz was a consistent thorn in McCarthy's side.
Only begrudgingly did Gaetz and five other McCarthy detractors (Andy Biggs, Ariz.; Lauren Boebert, Colo; Eli Crane, Ariz.; Bob Good, Va. and Matt Rosendale, Mont.) switch their votes from a conservative alternative to “present,” giving McCarthy the wiggle room he needed.
There were plenty of moments of drama along the way.
Long considered the frontrunner for speaker of the House, McCarthy had failed to secure enough votes to lock down his speakership bid before Tuesday's first House vote. A months-long lobbying effort had failed to move the five Republicans who publicly opposed McCarthy. (RELATED: GOP Congressman Refusing to Back McCarthy's Speaker Bid)
Despite the intra-party frustrations that spilled into the open, McCarthy remained publicly optimistic through the grueling, multi-day battle.
He even moved into the speaker's chambers in the days leading up to Tuesday's vote. (RELATED: Republican Lawmaker Exposes McCarthy's Premature Office Switch)
One Last Hurdle – For Now
Despite making significant concessions to appease his detractors, McCarthy's razor-thin victory shows he has more to do to build trust within his narrow majority.
It won't be easy.
Matt Gaetz, the staunchest member of the “Never Kevin” caucus, said on Thursday he has “zero trust” in the California Republican.
No first-time House speaker has had such a perilous majority since Democrat John Nance Garner was elevated to the position in 1931.
However, McCarthy did get a standing ovation from his caucus when he announced the first bill the new Republican majority would introduce.
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Bout time. Now we have to hope McCarthy will abide by the changes he has promised to those who finally voted for him.
It’s not McCarthy you need to worry about he agreed to one member vote of what amounts to forcing a vote on his leadership. It’s Gaetz and Boebert, they have shown utter personal discontent for McCarthy. Gaetz, during the voting process resorted to finger pointing at McCarthy during a public discussion on the house floor. He has publicly made deceived his base as to his intention on voting for the House Speaker. Boebert has followed him like a pet on a leash. These two had jeopardized the process to the point where the opposition was possibly in a position to regain control of the speakership. Their actions speak volumes as to their ability to be faithful to the future the American people. I hope I’m wrong, but I have lost all faith in both. Will they now join the ranks of Cheney.
Oh shut the fk up you fking scam artist.
Yes they better and a lot of illegal bills those communist democratic politicians pushed threw and no bill ever to be passed with out being read from beginning to end any garbage added revoked
Became House Speaker on J6 PST CA time
Damn
I ha e no idea what Gaetz problem is and I don’t give a fk. Thye need to get their asses to work and if Gaetz won’t go to work, he needs to be suspended by congress and replaced by De Santis.
I have never like Gaetz!!! For some reason, he makes me shutter.
Congrats to McCarthy, Now please gives us a clean slate at DOJ, FBI, TSA, NSA, CIA, AND INVALIDATE THE 4800 PAGE DOCUMENT THAT BIDEN HAD FLOWN TO A FOREIGN COUNTRY FOR HIS SIGNATURE. Why not sign it in the official office of the president, the Oval Office. Is it legal for president to sign official documents outside of the Oval Office ? outside of the country?
Republicans need to be more like the democrats. They should have done what they were told and voted for McCarty. We can’t allow independent thinkers in the majority party. Nancy would have never allowed it. Fourteen rounds of voting and McCarty couldn’t get the majority and the democrats complained about it even though they voted in lockstep for their guy every time.