Key Points
- A chaotic night on the House floor culminated after midnight Saturday with Republicans rallying behind Kevin McCarthy to elect him speaker.
- The Speaker’s contest started on Tuesday with 19 Republicans refusing to back McCarthy for the speakership and as the week wore on the total had grown to 21 members.
- After a 14th round found McCarthy losing by just a single vote, the 15th proved the charm for the Californian.
- Several members voted “present,” including notable holdouts Reps-elect Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., Lauren Boebert, R-Colorado., and Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., allowing McCarthy to take a majority of those voting for a candidate.
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