House speaker vote: McCarthy thanks Trump for final votes as fight nearly breaks out on floor
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Your support makes all the difference.Kevin McCarthy was finally elected speaker of the House of Representatives after 15 rounds of voting, clinching the gavel just after midnight on Saturday.
The longest contest for speaker of the House of Representatives in more than a century finally came to an end as six remaining Republican holdouts opted to vote “present”, giving Mr McCarthy a majority over Democrat Hakeem Jeffries.
Earlier, Republican House member Mike Rogers had to be physically restrained after lunging at Matt Gaetz amid chaotic scenes in the House.
Congressman Richard Hudson grabbed Mr Rogers by his face and physically pulled him away.
In his first speech as speaker, Mr McCarthy thanked former president Donald Trump for “helping get those final votes”.
Mr McCarthy’s bid had been delayed by a group of far-right Republicans including the likes of Lauren Boebert and Mr Gaetz.
However, on Friday he made significant progress in the 12th ballot, managing to flip a total of 14 representatives-elect in his favour after lengthy negotiations.
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What the rightwing press says about the House speaker vote chaos
After a day of three failed votes to choose a Republican speaker of the House of Representatives, here’s how major right-wing outlets reacted.
What the right-wing press thinks about the Republican House speaker vote chaos
Major outlets and media figures start to take sides
What to expect on Day 2 of House speaker election
What was expected to be a day of triumph for House Republicans coming into the majority turned into chaos Tuesday as interparty fighting over who should lead them in their new reign ended with no speaker in the rostrum.
Republicans failed to elect a speaker after Kevin McCarthy came short of overcoming opposition from the right flank of his party following an hourslong series of votes on the first day of the new Congress.
The opposition from 20 lawmakers, including some of the chamber’s most conservative members, to McCarthy’s speakership handicapped the House’s ability to start its work and delayed the ceremonial swearing-in of hundreds of returning members and freshmen.
GOP lawmakers on Wednesday will try once again to elect a speaker despite uncertainty over how McCarthy could rebound after becoming the first House speaker nominee in 100 years to fail to win the gavel with his party in the majority.
What to know as the House heads into the second day of the speaker election:
EXPLAINER: What to expect on Day 2 of House speaker election
The House will convene Wednesday as Republicans try again to elect a speaker for the new Congress
McCarthy to seek adjournment
House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy and his lieutenants have decided to seek House adjournment after convening at noon, without any new balloting for speaker.
Democrats urged to vote no on adjournment
An email from new House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark advises members to vote against a potential Republican motion to adjourn until Thursday.
House reconvenes
The House of Representatives has reconvened and we will shortly find out whether there will be a move to adjourn and whether that will pass or fail. Some reports suggest that there are enough Republicans opposed to adjourning to force a fourth vote for speaker.
Proceedings begin with Rep Elise Stefanik noting to the clerk that a “quorum is not present”.
Members-elect continue to enter the chamber.
Rep Kevin McCarthy is seen working his way through a crowd of journalists on his way into the House.
Quorum present in House
A quorum is present in the House with the chair counting 351 members present.
The next speaker election vote can take place.
Rep Gallagher nominates McCarthy for speaker
Rep Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin is nominating Rep Kevin McCarthy for speaker today ahead of the fourth vote.
“Let’s all take a second, take a look around. I know people are getting frustrated.” Says to realise “how lucky we are” to serve in Congress.
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