Kevin McCarthy has won the Speaker’s Gavel after some tense finals rounds of voting. McCarthy won the Speakership after failing to win 14 times previously, missing the 14th round by a single vote. The 15 rounds required to vote is the most since before the civil war.
McCarthy was unable to win after his team failed to secure the votes of 20 Right wing, firebrand conservatives who forbid McCarthy from attaining the top job. As multiple rounds dragged on, many of the detractors switched to McCarthy’s camp lending him more support.
The House was voting to adjourn after the tense 14th round, but in a sudden change of events, McCarthy and his team changed their votes to proceed to a 15th round after seeming to strike a deal with the remaining 6. McCarthy’s camp was able to win after the Republican leader made major concessions, including committee and leadership representation, and an easier process of removing the Speaker.