Rep. Kevin McCarthy succeeded in winning over some opponents in the 12th and 13th ballots Friday as he continued his work to secure the House speakership.
The process has now lasted four days — the longest speaker contest in more than 160 years. Democrats, meanwhile, have remained unified around their leader, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries.
The House has voted to adjourn until 10 p.m. ET, when McCarthy is confident he will finally have enough votes to win the job. McCarthy said that when the House reconvenes, “I believe we’ll have the votes to finish this once and for all.”
Here’s how the latest votes played out:
12th ballot:
- 213: McCarthy
- 211: Jeffries
- 4: Rep. Jim Jordan
- 3: Rep. Kevin Hern
13th ballot:
- 214: McCarthy
- 212: Jeffries
- 6: Others — Jordan
Here’s what else you need to know to get you up to speed:
Surge of support: McCarthy started Friday saying he thought some of his fellow Republicans who have blocked his bid for speaker would vote for him. That is what happened — 14 GOP lawmakers who were holding out, did vote for McCarthy during the 12th vote. An additional Republican, Rep. Andy Harris, flipped his vote in the 13th ballot. McCarthy said he thinks some minds were changed after negotiations over the last few days. No other Republican was nominated to oppose McCarthy in the 13th vote, though the six remaining hardliners voted in the “others” category for Jordan.
These lawmakers flipped, across both votes:
- Rep. Dan Bishop
- Rep.-elect Josh Brecheen
- Rep. Michael Cloud
- Rep. Andrew Clyde
- Rep. Byron Donalds
- Rep. Andy Harris (voted for McCarthy in 13th ballot)
- Rep.-elect Anna Paulina Luna
- Rep. Mary Miller
- Rep. Ralph Norman
- Rep. Scott Perry
- Rep. Chip Roy
- Rep.-elect Keith Self
- Rep. Victoria Spartz (who had been voting “present” and had said she would continue to do so until she saw progress)
- Rep. Paul Gosar
- Rep.-elect Andy Ogles
Moving forward: McCarthy’s team sees Rep. Matt Gaetz as their biggest obstacle now, multiple sources said. They see him as trying to gin up opposition. McCarthy’s allies are seeing whether any absent members can return and whether they can flip two holdouts: Rep. Matt Rosendale and Rep.-elect Eli Crane, or convince them to vote “present,” according to sources familiar.
Remember: McCarthy does not technically need 218 votes to become speaker. A majority of those present and voting is required to get the speakership, which is usually 218 lawmakers. But if enough people skip the vote or vote “present,” the number of votes required for a majority can drop. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was elected with 216 votes in 2021.
Role of the House clerk: In his nomination of Jeffries during the 12th round of voting, South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn started off by thanking Cheryl Johnson, the House clerk who has presided over voting for four days this week. Johnson is no stranger to turbulent times in the House. She has been present for two impeachment hearings as well as the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Read more about the clerk here.
