To secure the gavel, McCarthy had to chip away at opposition from a bloc of hardline conservatives in what became the longest contest in 164 years. To win over critics, McCarthy and his allies made a series of concessions to conservatives – a move that frustrated moderates concerned the concessions may make it harder for the new GOP majority to effectively govern.
As Republicans turn their attention to implementing their agenda, the struggle McCarthy faced to lock down votes may serve as a preview of the kind of challenges he will face in trying to unite his members in the future. The deal-making McCarthy engaged in also appears poised to leave him with a weaker hand to play in his new position of authority, though the California Republican has disputed that notion.
The speaker election unfolded over a series of days – beginning on the first day of the 118th Congress – and highlighted divides between conservatives and moderates. The final hours before McCarthy was elected were punctuated with chaotic and tense moments on the House floor with lawmakers on the edge of their seats waiting to see how a handful of remaining holdouts would vote./-
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Vote Count: McCarthy Elected House Speaker After 15 Ballots
Representative Kevin McCarthy of California was voted House speaker on the 15th ballot just after midnight Friday. The final six holdouts in a group of ultraconservative Republicans voted “present,” lowering the threshold for him to win.
| Total | Dem. | Rep. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 McCarthy | 216 | 0 | 216 | Needed to win |
 Jeffries | 212 | 212 | 0 | |
Present | 6 | 0 | 6 |
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