McCarthy Elected House Speaker on 15th Vote

McCarthy Elected House Speaker on 15th Vote

Republican Kevin McCarthy was elected House Speaker shortly after midnight on Saturday.

It came after five days of deadlock and 15 rounds of voting. 

“The big picture,” reported Axios. “McCarthy reached an agreement with more than a dozen GOP detractors that allows them to wield more power in the new Congress after weeks of tense negotiations.”

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Ending the stalemate included GOP members Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) — who had previously nominated former Donald Trump this week for the post — Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), Bob Good (R-Va.), Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) and Rep.-elect Eli Crane (R-Ariz.), who voted "present" on the 15th ballot.

“The California Republican’s hard-won ascendancy follows a feud that saw a group of far-right conservatives repeatedly defy him — and could preview a new era of divided government,” wrote Axios of McCarthy's win.