McCarthy finally won the speaker's gavel after historic 15 rounds of voting.
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.
House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy appeared to have finally won the speakership after 15 rounds of voting and a years-long personal quest, a win that would allow the chamber to finally swear in lawmakers and legislate.
The House is voting again to elect a speaker.
Republicans moved to adjourn until Monday after McCarthy fell one vote shy in the 14th round. Rep.-elect Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., introduced the motion but it failed 155-279 -- with several Republicans changing their vote halfway through.
McCarthy clearly thinks he now has the votes.
“Everybody take a seat, let’s go one more time!” McCarthy said.
Arkansas Republican Bruce Westerman rose to nominate McCarthy, saying "the eyes of the world, the eyes of America are on this body right now."
The atmosphere in the chamber turned heated when McCarthy was denied the speakership again, this time by just one vote.
Mike Rogers, R-Ala., moved toward Rep. Matt Gaetz after he voted "present" -- ultimately sinking McCarthy's chance of getting a majority of votes needed. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., covered his mouth and pulled him away.
McCarthy himself appeared caught off guard. When Gaetz voted "present," McCarthy mouthed "we don't win."
It sucked the air out of the room.
One Democrat member yelled "s***." Others groaned or gasped. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the incoming Democratic caucus leader, said "just another day at the park."
The House is now voting on a motion to adjourn until noon Monday.
--ABC News' Rachel Scott
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., sealed McCarthy's fate on Friday as he voted "present" in the 14th round, leaving the California congressman one vote short of winning the gavel.
Gaetz missed the first roll call, making him one of the final members to vote.
Gaetz has led the opposition to McCarthy's bid these past few days, nominating GOP alternatives such as Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio or even former President Donald Trump.
"This has never been about me or Kevin McCarthy. It's about the American people," Gaetz tweeted before his vote. "America wants to know that the rules of the House of Reps would never allow something like this horrendous omnibus bill to ever pass ever again."
