House speaker vote: McCarthy thanks Trump for final votes as fight nearly breaks out on floor
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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.
Rep Andy Biggs says he could get 20 votes
Rep Andy Biggs who is running against Kevin McCarthy believes he could get between 14 to 20 votes — far more than the five it would take to stop Mr McCarthy from getting the necessary votes to become speaker.
Gaetz: 'If you want to drain the swamp, you cannot put the biggest alligator in charge’
Colorado Rep Lauren Boebert joined reps Scott Perry and Matt Gaetz in voicing their opposition to Kevin McCarthy following the GOP conference closed-door meeting.
Mr Perry argued that they are not happy to accept the status quo, adding that the morning meeting was “a beat down” to try to threaten members to support Mr McCarthy.
“I don’t take orders from anybody in this town,” he added.
Ms Boebert added they were being “sworn at instead of being sworn in”.
Mr Gaetz said: “If you want to drain the swamp, you cannot put the biggest alligator in charge of the exercise. I’m a Florida man and I know of what I speak”
The new Congress convenes in an hour.
McCarthy says detractors acting for themselves
Kevin McCarthy tells reporters that his detractors are acting “for themselves, not for the country” while acknowledging the fight ahead.
“The battle is for the conference and the country, and that’s fine with me.”
Mr McCarthy specifically called out Rep Matt Gaetz adding that the Florida representative said “I don’t care if we go to plurality and we elect Hakeem Jeffries,” the top House Democrat.
Another ‘No’ vote against McCarthy
North Carolina Rep Dan Bishop comes out against Kevin McCarthy.
Marjorie Taylor Greene is furious
Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene: “I haven’t asked for one thing for myself and I’m the only Republican that has zero committees... I find out it’s my Freedom Caucus colleagues and my supposed friends that went and did that and they asked nothing for me... I am furious.”
McCarthy doesn’t mind getting record for most votes for speaker
Speaking after the party’s closed-door meeting, Kevin McCarthy told reporters: “We did have an intense conference... we may have a battle on the floor but the battle is for the conference and the country and that’s fine with me... I don’t have a problem getting a record for the most votes for speaker, too...”
Boebert and Gaetz mocked after appearing to get lost in the Capitol
Matt Gaetz and Lauren Boebert found themselves back in the crosshairs of Twitter trolls this week after video of them taking a wrong turn in the US Capitol spread online.
Lauren Boebert and Matt Gaetz mocked after appearing to get lost in the Capitol
‘We’re lost!’ Matt Gaetz quips
How the vote will unfold
Choosing a speaker will be the first vote the House will take before new and returning lawmakers are even sworn into office on Tuesday.
As set out under the Constitution, the session will begin at noon on 3 January, with all the lawmakers seated on the House floor and members from both parties joining in the vote for speaker.
The chamber cannot organise until it has a speaker since that person effectively serves as the House’s presiding officer and the institution’s administrative head.
The House can elect a new speaker at any time if the person occupying that role dies, resigns or is removed from office. Barring that, a speaker is normally elected at the start of a new Congress.
Lawmakers call out the name of their choice for speaker from the floor, a rare and time-consuming roll call that heightens the drama on the floor. Members often liven up the proceedings by shouting or standing when casting their vote.
Pelosi gavels in House for final time
Nancy Pelosi officially adjourned the 117th Congress. She received a standing ovation from both sides of the aisle.
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