Republican Kevin McCarthy becomes speaker of the US House of Representatives after an election chaos. After being sworn in, he sets priorities. The news ticker.
- Lengthy Victory: Kevin McCarthy becomes speaker after the 15th round House of Representatives chosen
- Biden agrees to work together: the republicans McCarthy thanks Trump
- Election drama in the USA: after the Midterms Republicans took control of the House of Representatives in November. The start of the new legislative period is overshadowed by a power struggle for leadership in the larger one congress-Chamber.
+++ 2.15 p.m.: The Republican candidate Kevin McCarthy has been sworn in as the new chairman of the US House of Representatives after a historic four-day voting marathon and an inner-party dispute that lasted until the end. In his acceptance speech on Saturday night, McCarthy promised he would “pass legislation to meet the country’s challenges.” US President Joe Biden warned after the vote that it was now time to “govern responsibly”.
McCarthy cited the “wide open border in the south”, the government’s energy policy, which he called “America last”, and the “woke indoctrination in our schools” as the primary challenges. The term “woke” describes “being awake” to racist and discriminatory tendencies in a society.
Speaker of the US House of Representatives: McCarthy warns about China
The 57-year-old politician from the US state of California demanded that Congress “speak with one voice” on “long-term challenges” such as the national debt and “the rise of the Chinese Communist Party”.
The office of Speaker is the third highest in the United States governmental hierarchy, after the President and Vice President. McCarthy succeeds Democrat Nancy Pelosi in the post.
McCarthy becomes speaker of the US House of Representatives – and thanks Trump
+++ 10.00 a.m.: On January 4, the Republican received support from ex-President Donald Trump in the midst of the election for speaker of the US House of Representatives. “Now is the time for all of our great Republicans to vote for Kevin, close the deal, take the win,” Trump said on his Truth Social media platform.
And he wants it fixed too. As seen in photos from the meeting, right-wing MP Marjorie Taylor Greene shows her cell phone to party colleagues. Apparently Donald Trump is on the line. In any case, McCarthy thanked reporters “especially” after the election victory in front of reporters. “He really helped get the last few votes,” says McCarthy. “I don’t think anyone should doubt his influence.”
Power struggle over: McCarthy elected Speaker of the US House of Representatives
+++ 8.12 a.m.: US President Joe Biden signaled his willingness to cooperate after Republican Kevin McCarthy was elected as the new speaker of the House of Representatives. “I’m willing to work with Republicans if I can,” Democrat Biden said Saturday. It is time “to govern responsibly and to make sure we put the interests of American families first,” he added.
Voters had “made it clear” that they “expect Republicans to be just as willing to work with me,” stressed the US President.
McCarthy elected Speaker of the US House of Representatives
+++ 7.00 a.m.: After a historic four-day stalemate, Republican candidate Kevin McCarthy has been elected President of the US House of Representatives for the 15th time. The 57-year-old politician from the US state of California achieved the required simple majority on Saturday night (local time) after the Republicans were able to overcome internal party resistance. It was the longest election for the so-called Speaker of the House for 160 years.
McCarthy loses 14th vote – Dramatic scenes and “almost” fisticuffs
Update from Saturday, January 7th, 6:20 a.m.: In a dramatic showdown in the US House of Representatives, Republican Kevin McCarthy once again failed to win the election as Speaker of the House of Representatives. In the 14th ballot of the chaotic voting series, McCarthy was only missing a single vote for victory on Saturday night (local time). However, despite desperate attempts to negotiate, his most bitter opponents allowed him to appear in the plenary chamber at the last minute. In the meantime, there was a heated exchange between the two camps of supporters and opponents of McCarthy and almost fisticuffs, as could be seen on live video recordings.
House of Representatives: “I have the votes” – McCarthy confident of victory after 13 defeats
+++ 10.15 p.m.: Kevin McCarthy remains confident. “I will have the votes,” the Republican told CNN. When the House of Representatives convenes after the break for the 14th choice of speaker, “we will end this once and for all,” McCarthy said.
Election in the House of Representatives – the remaining Republican dissenters
- Matt Gaetz (Florida)
- Lauren Boebert (Colorado)
- Andi Biggs (Arizona)
- Bob Good (Virginia)
- Eli Crane (Arizona)
- Matt Rosendale (Montana)
+++ 8:26 p.m.: And the choice goes on. House of Representatives begins 13th attempt to select speaker. Kevin McCarthy is again nominated by the Republicans. It is doubtful whether the remaining seven dissenters can be convinced.
+++ 6.56 p.m.: The twelfth round of voting in the House of Representatives is underway. And even before the end it is clear: Kevin McCarthy will also lose this round. With six dissenters already, a majority for him is only theoretically possible.
+++ 6:27 p.m.: As expected, Kevin McCarthy was nominated by the Republicans as Speaker for the House of Representatives – for the eleventh time. This time, the honor of nomination fell to Mike Garcia, who, like McCarthy, is from California.
Kevin McCarthy earns scorn and ridicule after defeats
Update from Friday, January 6th, 3:00 p.m.: After three days of electoral chaos in the US Congress, the power struggle for the highest office in the American Parliament is entering the next round today. How long the tug-of-war over the election of the “speaker of the house” will drag on is completely unclear. The Lincoln Project, an organization founded in late 2019 by Republicans critical of Trump, has poked fun at McCarthy in a way that has become immensely popular in Britain since Liz Truss’ sad tenure: The group asked on Twitterwho will hold out longer, McCarthy or a lettuce?
Congressional election: Historic embarrassment for McCarthy
First report from Friday, January 6th: Washington, DC – Kevin McCarthy is setting record after record. Not since the 19th century has it taken so many attempts for members of the US House of Representatives to elect a new leader. The election chaos has already lasted for three days McCarthy failed in eleven ballots. The Republican, who spent years preparing for his role as Speaker of the House, is looking like a drowned poodle at the moment.
It’s a historic embarrassment for the 57-year-old. Because it is the first time in 100 years that several ballots are needed to fill the post. In 1923, nine ballots were necessary for this. It lasted the longest in 1855/56, when the parliamentary chamber two months and 133 ballots needed for the election. It should be borne in mind, however, that personal views on slavery at the time led to heated debates and arguments. Only a few years later the civil war broke out USA the end.
But why is it that McCarthy keeps failing? Republicans have a slim majority in the chamber. Therefore, McCarthy needs almost all of his party colleagues’ votes to be elected. But various Republicans from the right fringe of the faction refuse to support him. A solution to the situation is not in sight. In the meantime some MPs have already brought Donald Trump into play as an alternative – a rather unlikely scenario.
McCarthy is relaxed
In theory, there is no end to this choice. McCarthy himself remains optimistic. “We’re making good progress,” he said on Thursday evening (January 5). Referring to the historic scope of the drama, he said, “I like making history.” He also holds the record for the longest speech in the House of Representatives.
How long the tugging will last this time is completely unclear. In any case, the Republicans’ attitude has brought the work of Parliament to a standstill. Until the presidency is clarified, nothing happens in the House of Representatives, not even the new MPs can be sworn in. Legislative work is out of the question. (cs)