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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Luna flips to McCarthy ‘Pending negotiations in good faith’
Anna Paulina Luna flips to Kevin McCarthy, saying it is “pending negotiations in good faith”.
Miller flips to McCarthy
Mary Miller flips her vote to McCarthy, taking the total number of crossover votes to seven.
Ralph Norman flips to McCarthy
Ralph Norman votes for McCarthy taking the number of flips to eight for the GOP leader.
Andy Ogles was not present when his name was called.
Scott Perry votes for McCarthy
House Freedom Caucus chair Scott Perry votes for Kevin McCarthy “in good faith”.
Perry gives his reasoning for changing vote
“We’re at a turning point. I’ve negotiated in good faith, with one purpose: to restore the People’s House back to its rightful owners. The framework for an agreement is in place, so in a good-faith effort, I voted to restore the People’s House by voting for Kevin McCarthy.”
Chip Roy flips to McCarthy
Rep Chip Roy becomes the tenth holdout to change his vote to McCarthy.
Self and Spartz vote for McCarthy
Keith Self votes for McCarthy telling the chamber: “We are making progress.”
Moments later Victoria Spartz, who had voted “present” multiple times, also voted for McCarthy.
Paul Gosar and Andy Ogles flip to McCarthy
As the final names are called, both Paul Gosar and Andy Ogles announce they are now voting for McCarthy.
Only seven GOP members left in opposition to McCarthy
Just seven Republican members of the House are left in opposition to making Kevin McCarthy speaker.
Biggs Boebert Crane Gaetz Good Harris Rosendale
They are split between voting for Kevin Hern and Jim Jordan — both of whom voted for McCarthy.
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