Kevin McCarthy is the 55th Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The California Republican finally nailed down the speaker’s gavel after fourteen votes in which he failed to secure the position.
McCarthy was elected speaker in the 15th vote for the position, early on Saturday morning, according to The Washington Post.
He only needed 216 votes in the final, conclusive vote.
Five House members voted present, which lowered the threshold for McCarthy’s simple majority.
BREAKING: Republican Kevin McCarthy elected House Speaker after 15 rounds of votes pic.twitter.com/XMrO1uxdvB
— Katie Daviscourt?? (@KatieDaviscourt) January 7, 2023
The late-night votes followed a breakthrough for McCarthy on Friday, in which 15 of his Republican opponents cast their votes for the caucus leader following negotiations in which McCarthy promised reforms to the rules of the House.
Even the final vote that preceded McCarthy’s election saw its share of drama.
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