Kevin McCarthy Elected US House Speaker; As Rogers Lunges At Gaetz Amid Intra-party Tensions

Republicans won the majority in the United States House of Representatives in last November's midterm elections. This week, the House held a series of votes to elect the Speaker, culminating in the election early morning Saturday, of Kevin McCarthy, Republican from California, after 15 rounds of voting.

The speaker who is third in the line of power after the president and the vice president, sets the House agenda and oversees legislative business.

McCarthy won the speakership on the 15th ballot, 216 to 212. A winner needed just 215 for this round as six members voted "present," reducing the winning threshold.

The final round of votes in the House Friday night, were punctuated by heated exchanges which almost saw fellow Republicans come to blows, as some of them including conservative firebrand Matt Gaetz(R-Florida) opposed McCarthy.

At one point in the chamber, Gaetz almost came to blows with Mike Rogers -- a supporter of McCarthy. The Alabama congressman had to be physically restrained by colleagues as he bellowed and jabbed his finger at the Florida congressman.

Speaking after his confirmation, McCarthy wrote on Twitter: "I hope one thing is clear after this week: I will never give up. And I will never give up for you, the American people."

In his remarks as Speaker to lawmakers, McCarthy said in part: "Our nation is worth fighting for," he added in his opening remarks. As Speaker of the House, my ultimate responsibility is not to my party, my conference, or even our Congress. My responsibility – our responsibility -- is to our country. Two months ago, you voted for a new direction for our country. You embraced our Commitment to America. And now, we are going to keep our commitment to you. ...We will also address America’s long-term challenges: the debt and the Chinese Communist Party. Congress must speak with one voice on both of these issues."

The Republican also said he would reopen the U.S. Capitol Building, which remained behind additional security measures and was mostly inaccessible to the public following the riots on Jan. 6, 2021.

"My friends -- this chamber is now fully open for all Americans," McCarthy said, to a thunderous applause from Republicans, while Democrats in the chamber remained silent.

McCarthy also addressed House minority leader, Democrat Hakeem Jeffries who gave a widely mocked rambling speech earlier.

"To Leader Jeffries -- there will be times we will agree and many times we will differ," McCarthy said. "I promise that our debates will be passionate, but never personal. And now the hard work begins. What we do here today, next week, next month, and next year will set the tone for everything that follows."

"Hakeem -- I need to warn you: I also won 100 percent of my conference vote on this floor two years ago. So, good luck!" he jokingly said at one point in his remarks.

McCarthy was boisterously opposed by Republican dissidents which included members of the House Freedom Caucus, who argue that he is not conservative enough to lead them as they work to try to oppose Democrat President Joe Biden's agenda.

The Republican has offered various concessions to the rebels, including a seat on the influential rules committee, which sets the terms for debate on legislation in the chamber.

McCarthy also agreed to lower the threshold for triggering a vote on whether to unseat the Speaker, to only one House member. This the rebels argue will hopefully act as a check on him should he renege on the agreement.