“Very curious” and “what an incredible scene”. The 14th ballot for the presidency of the US House of Representatives concluded on Friday The New York Times. However, after a fifteenth vote, Kevin McCarthy was elected as the new president.
Just after midnight in Washington, he had 216 party members behind him, and that was enough. He was one vote short on the fourteenth ballot. Hundreds of lawmakers chanted “one more time” in the US House of Representatives before the start of the 15th ballot.
The leader of the largest party usually becomes president with one vote. This time was different. McCarthy’s nomination has been blocked for four days by a group of 20 very conservative Republicans.
McCarthy managed to get behind some of the sleepers. Even so, Friday’s 14th ballot failed to secure the presidency. That’s because one Congressman, Matt Gaetz, voted “present” instead of McCarthy. This Republican previously voted against McCarthy
The importance of a new president was great. Without a president, MPs cannot take the oath and go to work. Insiders fear the US lower house is facing a difficult time. It will not be possible to find a majority for all issues. Democratic presidential candidate Hakeem Jeffries has consistently received the support of all of his 212 party members.
President Joe Biden says in response to McCarthy’s nomination that he is “willing to work with Republicans” and “put the interests of American families first.”
