New Congress live updates: What's next after Kevin McCarthy's speakership win

McCarthy finally won the speaker's gavel after historic 15 rounds of voting.

ByLibby Cathey, Alexandra Hutzler, Tal Axelrod, and Benjamin Siegel
Last Updated: January 9, 2023, 8:14 AM EST

The House Republican leadership standoff ended early Saturday morning with Kevin McCarthy winning the speaker's gavel on a historic 15th vote.

It was the longest such election since 1859.

The drama stretched into a fourth day Friday with three more failed votes to decide on a speaker after 11 others over Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday -- the last one ending in a heated one-vote loss at the hands of holdout Matt Gaetz.

McCarthy had been stymied by a small group of hardliners demanding concessions to reshape how the House is run and legislation it prioritizes.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the story is developing. All times Eastern.
Jan 05, 2023, 4:44 PM EST

McCarthy losses continue to pile up

McCarthy lost in the ninth round of voting, as he continues to remain stagnant with an insufficient amount of support.

Democratic Rep. Hakeem Jeffries again netted 212 votes as his entire caucus rallied around him. The GOP alternatives to McCarthy -- Reps. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., and Kevin Hern, R-Okla. -- earned 17 votes and three votes, respectively.

McCarthy lost one vote from prior rounds as supporter Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., did not vote though it was unclear why.

Indiana Republican Rep. Victoria Spartz again voted present.

For the first time since 1859, before the Civil War, at least a 10th round of voting is needed to elect a speaker of the House.

House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy returns to the House Chamber for an 8th round of voting for a new Speaker on the third day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Jan. 5, 2023.
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

Jan 05, 2023, 5:45 PM EST

Lauren Boebert nominates Kevin Hern

Colorado Republican Lauren Boebert nominated her colleague from Oklahoma, Rep. Kevin Hern, for speaker.

Speaking to her GOP colleagues, Boebert said "it's time to build momentum" around a different candidate.

"Many of you have said it. You see that Kevin McCarthy does not have the votes," she said.

Boebert and Oklahoma's new Rep.-elect Josh Brecheen voted for Hern in the previous round. Hern was first elected to the House in 2018 and has served on the House Ways and Means Committee. He currently chairs the Republican Study Committee.

A view of the House chamber as the House meets for the third day to elect a speaker and convene the 118th Congress in Washington, Jan. 5, 2023.
Alex Brandon/AP

Jan 05, 2023, 3:55 PM EST

Matt Rosendale nominates Byron Donalds in ninth round of voting

Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., nominated Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., for speaker in the ninth round of voting, focusing much of his frustrations over a lack of debate on legislation -- a deficiency that he accused McCarthy of preparing to continue.

"These are not radical deviations from the norm. These are restorations of the rules so that this place can function properly," he said of the demands put forth by a group of 20 renegades to GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy, Calif.

"Hoping for this change will not create this change. And change is uncomfortable. We understand that. But it is not unachievable. And we must make change in this broken system."

Jan 05, 2023, 3:39 PM EST

Ted Lieu nominates Hakeem Jeffries

Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., rose to nominate Rep. Hakeem Jeffries for speaker in this ninth round of voting.

Jeffries has led in the eight votes conducted so far, thanks to the unanimous support of the Democratic caucus.

"Democrats are ready, willing and able to get to work for the American people," Lieu said. "We will do so under leadership of Hakeem Jeffries who has a plan for the American people."

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