Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Independent TV

Showing now | News

Kevin McCarthy finally elected House Speaker after 15 rounds of voting as GOP rebels relent

00:40

Watch the moment Kevin McCarthy finally elected as House Speaker

Watch the moment Republican Kevin McCarthy was elected as the new US Speaker after winning the 15th round of votes following chaotic scenes in Congress.

Mr McCarthy won by a margin of 216-211.

Congress cannot function without a House Speaker, marking the role as one of the most powerful positions in US politics.

Mr McCarthy was elected with the votes of fewer than half the House members only because five in his own party withheld their votes – not backing either him or another contender.

This week's failed votes marked the highest number of ballots for the speakership since 1859.

Click here to sign up for our newsletters.

Up next

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in