Kevin McCarthy elected House Speaker after 15 rounds of voting

Kevin McCarthy was elected Speaker of the United States House of Representatives after an unprecedented 15 rounds of voting, marking one of the longest and most contentious Speaker elections in modern U.S. history. The prolonged process unfolded at the start of a new Congress and reflected deep divisions within the Republican Party, which held a narrow majority in the House. A small but determined group of hardline conservative lawmakers repeatedly withheld their support, demanding significant concessions on House rules, spending authority, and leadership accountability. As successive ballots failed to produce a winner, the House remained unable to conduct legislative business, drawing intense national and international attention to the deadlock. McCarthy ultimately secured the speakership after agreeing to a series of compromises aimed at empowering rank-and-file members and limiting the authority of House leadership. These concessions included changes to committee assignments, spending procedures, and the threshold required to challenge the Speaker’s position. His election ended days of uncertainty but also highlighted the fragile unity within the Republican caucus and the challenges McCarthy would face in governing effectively. The episode underscored broader trends of polarization and internal party conflict in U.S. politics, while also demonstrating how procedural rules and narrow majorities can significantly shape legislative outcomes. McCarthy’s hard-won victory set the tone for a closely divided and highly contentious congressional term.