McCarthy confident 'we’ll have the votes' despite 14th humiliating House speaker vote loss
The Californian Republican is hopeful that a deal with his far-right detractors could still see him elected House Speaker.
Kevin McCarthy says he’s ‘very confident’
US House of Representatives Republican leader, Kevin McCarthy, came close to winning the speakership despite losing a 14th consecutive vote after four grinding days of intra-party voting. As a tentative deal appeared to be put together on Thursday evening and on Friday, 15 of the Republican hold-outs voted for McCarthy.
It came after the former House Majority Leader gave his support to a proposal that would undermine his own power while at the same time giving his far-right critics more power such as the ability to more easily remove a speaker.
On Friday afternoon, McCarthy appeared more upbeat as the House voted to adjourn until later that evening.
He said: "We made some very good progress.
"We’ll come back tonight.
"I believe at that time we’ll have the votes to finish this once and for all."
The delay gives McCarthy and his allies more time to lobby the half-dozen remaining holdouts.
On the 12th ballot McCarthy won the most votes for the first time since voting began on Tuesday overtaking the Democrats choice of Speaker Congressman Hakeem Jeffries of New York.
However it was still not enough with 218 votes needed to win the speakership.
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Just a WILD and remarkable scene on the floor right now as Kevin McCarthy fails to secure the speakership.
— Melanie Zanona (@MZanona) January 7, 2023
He walked up the aisle to Boebert and Gaetz, appeared to be pleading with them, got into heated convo. Mike Rogers then lunged toward Gaetz. Hudson had to step in.
So if members who refused to Coronate Kevin McCarthy are “terrorists”, what do you call McCarthy and Mike Rogers going after @MattGaetz and trying to intimidate him for voting present?
— ALX ������������ (@alx) January 7, 2023
pic.twitter.com/P4DnydKRd6
Allies of McCarthy appeared confident that they could persuade enough of the hold outs to back the former House Majority Whip to get him over the line.
However holdout Congressman Matt Gaetz who voted for conservative Congressman Jim Jordan on the 13th ballot said: “We do not trust Mr McCarthy with power.”
Gaetz added that McCarthy only had two options, repeated defeats or to be forced to amed the House rules to such an extent that he would be forced to govern in a “straitjacket”.
Frustrations between the holdouts and other Republicans who support McCarthy has at times spilled out onto the chamber floor.
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BREAKING: Kevin McCarthy just fell short of only 1 vote in the 14th vote for Speaker of the House.
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) January 7, 2023
He’s a 14 time loser now.
Congressman Mike Bost, a Republican of Illinois, angrily interjected as Gaetz criticised McCarthy in a nominating speech for his alternative speaker candidate.
Shaking his finger at Gaetz, Bost fumed: “This is not going to bring anyone.”
In response the House clerk banged the gavel, while several Republicans stormed off the floor in protest.