Republican leader Kevin McCarthy was elected speaker of the United States House of Representatives on an unprecedented 15th round of voting early Saturday, defeating holdouts from his own party.
He was one vote short on the 14th ballot, but the final round result was 216-212. Democrats backed leader Hakeem Jeffries.
McCarthy stated in a tweet following the outcome: “After this week, I hope one thing is clear: I will never give up. And I will never give up on you, the people of the United States.”
Nancy Pelosi, the previous House Speaker, is slated to pass over the lectern to McCarthy on Monday.