OPINION | Radical Republicans want more power 6:09
(CNN) — Rep. Kevin McCarthy got the votes needed to be elected Speaker of the United States House of Representatives this Friday after a week marked by a 14-vote defeat. His candidacy lasted four days, the longest in 164 years.
The final tally on Ballot 15 was 216 votes for McCarthy, 212 for House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, with six representatives voting present.
A group of die-hard Republicans have stymied McCarthy’s bid to become speaker of the House for several days, even after Thursday night’s negotiations pushed ahead. The California representative had to make some concessions to win several additional votes.
Several days of stagnation gave way to dramatic moments on Friday night. An extraordinary scene erupted in round 14, with McCarthy confronting Rep. Matt Gaetz, whose vote on that ticket could have landed him the job he had been looking for for so long.
After a failed motion to adjourn until Monday, McCarthy finally got the votes to secure the job.
When the victory was announced, Representatives Steve Scalise, Elise Stefanik and Ryan Zinke, the last member to cast his ballot, rushed with their ballots for McCarthy to sign.
Credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images
The entire Republican conference applauded at her feet. McCarthy hugged many members who approached him and greeted people in the gallery.
McCarthy stood up, expressed his relief and said, “I’m glad it’s over.”
He also denied that Rep. Matt Gaetz was offered a chair of the subcommittee in exchange for his “current” vote for the chair, and said it was up to the board to decide those appointments.
McCarthy celebrates after the election. Credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images
“No one is promised anything,” McCarthy said. “No matter what happens in the direction.”
The Republican Party has a narrow majority in the chamber (222 Republicans versus 212 Democrats), meaning McCarthy could not afford many defectors.
McCarthy represents California and previously served as House Minority Leader. McCarthy has already promised to launch multiple investigations into President Joe Biden and his administration.
The House can now do the rest of its business, including taking oaths of office to newly elected members.
Check out the crazy moments of the fiasco to elect the President of the House of Representatives 2:26
Biden and Trump congratulate McCarthy
President Joe Biden issued a statement congratulating House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on his victory.
In his statement, the President said:
“Jill and I congratulate Kevin McCarthy on his election as Speaker of the House. As I said after the midterms, I am willing to work with Republicans if I can, and voters have made it clear that they expect Republicans to be willing to work with me as well. Now that House leadership is decided, it is time to begin that process.”
Ex-President Donald Trump, for his part, celebrated the Republican representative with a message on his social network.
“The process of choosing the President, as crazy as it sounds, has made it so much bigger and more important than if it were done in a more conventional way. Congratulations to Kevin McCarthy and our BIG Republican Party!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The post comes after the former president made some last-minute calls and spoke to Reps Andy Biggs and Matt Gaetz while he was on the floor of the House, a source told CNN.
The former president called after it appeared Rep. Kevin McCarthy would not secure the presidency.