By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Republican Kevin McCarthy has been elected the new US House Of Representatives Speaker after winning the 15th round of vote following chaotic scenes in Congress.
Mr McCarthy’s party had taken control of the US lower chamber – following the midterm elections in the autumn, with a slim 222-212 majority.
Usually, election of the Speaker follows seamlessly, as a formality, with the leader of the largest party a shoo-in for the job.
However, recent splits in the Republican party meant that did not happen until the 15th round of voting.
In the 14th ballot, Mr McCarthy received 216 votes – one shy of the number needed for a victory – as a small faction of right-wing hardliners held out.
He won at last on a margin of 216-211 over Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries with six representatives voting “present.”
He was elected with the votes of fewer than half the House members only because five in his own party withheld their votes – not backing Mr McCarthy as leader, but also not voting for another contender.
US President Joe Biden congratulated him on his success and said he is “prepared to work with Republicans” when he can.
After the 14th round, a tense exchange ensued, with Mr McCarthy seen walking to the back of the chamber to confront Rep. Matt Gaetz, who did not vote for him.
Mr Gaetz was one of the six remaining Republican holdouts, and voted “present” in the 14th and 15th round.
