McCarthy Makes Headway, Flipping 14 Votes On 12th Ballot

Politics

Delivers Vow to’make Progress’ in the speaker battle

U.S. House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), reacts to the cheers from his supporters Republican After casting his vote, he is applauded by colleagues. Speaker The House During a vote in House Chamber On the first day, the 118th Congress The U.S. Capitol In Washington, U.S., January 3, 2023. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein Philip Caldwell • January 6, 2023 1:53 p.m.

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R. Calif.) on Friday He fulfilled his vow to make great progress in his bid for becoming House Speaker, flipping 14 Republican During the 12th ballot vote of this week, there were still holdouts for his side.

While McCarthy was unable to win a majority vote in the election. HouseHe also reduced the number Republicans In the anti-McCarthy alliance, from 21 to 7 Key players among the holdouts need to be convinced, Reps. Chip Roy (R., Texas) and Paul Gosar (R., Ariz.) to cast their vote his way. Friday’s McCarthy received more votes this week than usual for the first time in his life. House Democrats’ leader, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.).

After three days of deadlocked votes, McCarthy’s vote margins improved after he told reporters Friday Morning that “we’re going to make progress, we’re going to shock you.”

With Democrats Unite in Support JeffriesMcCarthy can only afford to lose four Republican You can still vote and be elected speaker. After McCarthy must flip three votes to cut the opposition to seven members in order to win the threshold for victory.

Flipping those holdouts could be a tall order for McCarthy—among the remaining opposition are the speaker hopeful’s most ardent opponents, like Reps. Matt Gaetz (R., Fla.) ?. Andy Biggs (R., Ariz.), who have vowed not to support McCarthy.