Despite McCarthy’s appointment, the radical wing of the Republicans was able to show how much power they have in the new Congress with their vote theater.
In the United States, the Republican Party Kevin McCarthy has finally been elected Speaker of the House of Representatives after days of voting. The speaker was voted for for the 15th time local time on Friday night.
McCarthy won when some of those who opposed him eventually turned to the Republican leader and others ended up voting.
McCarthy received 216 votes out of the 218 normally required. A smaller number of votes was enough for him, because some of the representatives voted no.
For example, the Democrats For Nancy Pelosi 216 votes were enough to elect the Speaker in 2021.
Even though McCarthy finally got the nomination he longed for after a voting circus that continued for a day, the party’s stuttering radical wing by no means lost its battle. On the contrary, the rebels were able to show how much power they have in the new Congress.
McCarthy didn’t get his appointment for free either. He and his supporters held numerous negotiations with the radicals in recent days, and he is known to have made numerous concessions on committee seats for changes to congressional rules.
With the election of the Speaker, the legislative work of the House of Representatives can finally start and the elected representatives can take their oath of office.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives is one of the most powerful politicians in the United States, leading the House and usually the majority party from a prominent position.