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.
Exclusive: AOC says Republican chaos shows how reasonable progressives like the Squad are
Shock scenes as Republican held back in confrontation with Matt Gaetz during Speaker vote
How Matt Gaetz and AOC cleared the air on their positions over Kevin McCarthy voteTrump phone-ins, near-fights and 15 votes: Key moments from a chaotic House Speaker election
Biggs also believes he knows why Trump’s endorsement didn’t resonate
Rep Andy Biggs when asked why Donald Trump’s push didn’t resonate among the 20 holdouts said: “Well, we love Mr Trump, but we also appreciate the moment and we also appreciate that Mr McCarthy has a history that has been off-putting to some people and we don’t think he’s the guy. He’s just not the guy.”
AOC fires back after Rep Cammack accuses Democrats of getting drunk in House
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez knocked down accusations from Republican Representative Kat Cammack of Florida after she claimed Democrats were drinking during their vote to nominate a speaker of the House of Representatives.
Eric Garcia reports.
AOC fires back after GOP accuses Democrats of getting drunk during speaker debacle
Rep Cammack’s speech fails to rally Republicans around Kevin McCarthy
Gaetz tells reporters this won’t end with McCarthy as speaker
Rep Matt Gaetz tells reporters that this will not end with Kevin McCarthy as speaker.
“This is about a lack of trust in someone who does not deserve it…he’s lied about us, he’s lied to us, we’re not voting for him.”
He added that what they needed was “for him to drop out of the race”.
Lincoln Project revives Liz Truss lettuce challenge to mock Kevin McCarthy
The Lincoln Project has revived one of the most memorable political stunts of 2022 in the first days of the new year — asking whether Rep Kevin McCarthy’s chances of becoming the next Speaker of the House will outlast a head of lettuce.
The lettuce bit began in October of last year when the Daily Star launched a livestream on YouTube showing a framed photograph of then-Prime Minister Liz Truss next to a head of iceburg lettuce and similarly asking whether Ms Truss’ reign as prime minister or the lettuce would last longer.
Abe Asher reports.
Lincoln Project revives Liz Truss lettuce challenge to mock Kevin McCarthy
Republican congressman struggling in bid to become next Speaker of the House
Who are the hard right who rebelled against McCarthy?
The Republicans opposing Rep. Kevin McCarthy‘s bid to become the next House speaker generally have made their mark as part of the GOP‘s ultra-conservative wing, eager to pick a fight with leaders from both parties and rarely finding major bipartisan bills to be a good thing.
Most are members of the House Freedom Caucus, a hard-right group that also had strained relationships with former House speakers John Boehner and Paul Ryan.
Against McCarthy: Hard-right members stage GOP rebellion
The Republicans opposing Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s bid to become the next House speaker generally have made their mark as part of the GOP’s ultra conservative wing
ICYMI: AOC reveals why she was chatting with GOP opponent who posted about killing her
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez revealed why she was spotted chatting with the Republican congressman who once posted a cartoon of him killing her, on the House floor during the vote for speaker of the House of Representatives.
In between votes for speaker, Ms Ocasio-Cortez spoke with Representative Paul Gosar of Arizona.
Here’s what she told The Independent.
AOC reveals why she was chatting with GOP opponent who fantasised about killing her
The progressive Democrat and Representative Paul Gosar were seen talking on the House floor amid the chaotic speaker’s vote
Earlier: Gaetz brands McCarthy ‘a squatter’ in speaker’s office
Rep Matt Gaetz has twisted the knife over Kevin McCarthy’s failed attempts to be elected House speaker, branding the GOP leader a “squatter” in the speaker’s office.
On Tuesday, Mr Gaetz sent a letter to Architect of the US Capitol Brett Blanton telling him that Mr McCarthy had moved into the speaker’s office at the Capitol and asking how long before he will be “considered a squatter” there.
Rachel Sharp reports.
Matt Gaetz brands Kevin McCarthy ‘a squatter’ after failed House speaker votes
Mr McCarthy failed to get enough votes to become House speaker in three separate roll call votes on Tuesday – marking the first time in more than 100 years where a speaker was not elected in the opening vote
Kevin McCarthy says potential seventh Speaker vote not ‘productive’ as House considers adjourning
Kevin McCarthy says he doesn’t yet have a deal with the group of hard-right Republicans blocking him from becoming House Speaker now that the GOP controls Congress, and called on the House to cease business for the evening to let talks play out.
“I don’t think voting tonight is produtive,” Mr McCarthy told reporters at the Capitol on Wednesday, following six unsuccessful votes for Speaker over the last two days. “Let people work a little more.”
The top House Republican said he has no deal yet with his opponents, but that the sides are making “a lot progress.”
The House is currently voting on whether to close up shop for the night, which you can watch live on C-SPAN.
WATCH: House votes on motion to adjourn that could impact Speaker race
The House of Representatives is currently considering whether to adjourn for the night, amid a contentious race for Speaker that has stretched over two days and six votes.
Watch the action live via Independent TV.
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