It took 15 attempts, but Republican Kevin McCarthy was finally elected House speaker in a historic marathon post-midnight 15th ballot early Saturday, wearing down the holdouts from his own ranks that had prevented his victory. The tensions had boiled over more than once, and the week had been chaotic, with the GOP ability to govern in suspension. The world was watching and as they say, “the look was not good” for the party that had just won a paper-thin majority.
“My father always told me, it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish,” McCarthy told cheering fellow Republicans.
Eager to confront President Joe Biden and the Democrats, he promised subpoenas and investigations. “Now the hard work begins,” the California Republican declared. He credited former President Donald Trump for standing with him and for making late calls “helping get those final votes.”Republicans roared in celebration when his victory was announced, chanting “USA! USA!”
At last, McCarthy took the oath of office, and the House was finally able to swear in newly elected lawmakers who had been waiting all week for the chamber to formally open and the 2023-24 session to begin.
After four days of grueling ballots, McCarthy flipped more than a dozen conservative holdouts to become supporters, including the chairman of the chamber’s Freedom Caucus.
He fell one vote short on the 14th ballot, and the chamber became raucous, unruly.
McCarthy strode to the back of the chamber to confront Republican Matt Gaetz, sitting with Lauren Boebert and other holdouts. Fingers were pointed, words exchanged and violence apparently just barely averted.
At one point, Republican Mike Rogers of Alabama, shouting, approached Gaetz before another Republican, Richard Hudson, physically pulled him back. “Stay civil!” someone shouted.
Order restored, the Republicans fell in line to give McCarthy the post he had fought so hard to gain, House speaker, second in the line of succession to the presidency.
The few remaining Republican holdouts began voting present, dropping the tally he needed. It was the end of a bitter standoff that had shown the strengths and fragility of American democracy. But more than that, it showed the shambles that the fiercely divided Republican Party finds itself in.
The rebellious 20 have metaphorically held their party hostage for nearly a week, wringing concession after concession out of McCarthy who clearly was willing to give away just about anything that it would take to attain his goal. Is this a glimpse of things to come? Will the recalcitrant few dictate to the many? Will this gridlock the House from within, by its own ranks?
It’s certain that he has weakened the role of Speaker by acceding to the demand that any lawmaker be able call for his removal at any time–a single discontented representative can change the leadership– and put himself in a position where he can lose the gavel at any moment. This will severely affect his ability to move legislation forward, especially on critical issues including funding the government, addressing the nation’s looming debt ceiling and other crises that may arise. Was all the drama and angst worth it?
