Rep. Kevin McCarthy wins House speakership

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries has just made history, becoming the first Black lawmaker to lead a party in Congress.

The New York congressman will lead Democrats in the House, succeeding Nancy Pelosi, who served as speaker in the prior session of Congress. In addition to being the first Black lawmaker to attain such a position, he is also the first leader of the House Democrats to be born after the end of World War II. 

Jeffries, at 52, marks the end of an era – and the start of a new one – for Democrats as he takes up his new position.  

House Democrats selected Jeffries to helm their party during a closed-door election in November. He ran unopposed. Now, Jeffries will be at the forefront of the House Democratic minority for the next two years with Republicans holding a slim majority in the chamber.

His rise in leadership came after Pelosi, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn announced they would be stepping down from their current leadership positions. Pelosi was designated “Speaker Emerita” in a unanimous vote by the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee on Nov. 29.

Rep. Kevin McCarthy has been elected House speaker after multiple days of negotiations and 15 rounds of voting.

The final tally was 216 votes for McCarthy, 212 for Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries with six representatives voting "present."

Republicans previously agreed to nominate McCarthy, but his path to the speakership was uncertain after a group of GOP holdouts threatened to derail his bid.

Several days of gridlock gave way to dramatic moments late Friday evening. In the 14th round, an extraordinary scene erupted, with McCarthy confronting Rep. Matt Gaetz, whose vote on that ballot could have given him the role he has sought for so long.

After a failed motion to adjourn until Monday, McCarthy finally had the votes to secure the position.

When the win was announced, Reps. Steve Scalise, Elise Stefanik, and Ryan Zinke, the last member to vote, all ran over to McCarthy with their vote cards for him to sign. 

The entire GOP conference was on their feet clapping. McCarthy hugged many members that came up to him and waved to folks in the gallery. 

McCarthy came off the floor, expressing relief saying, “I’m glad it’s over.” 

He also denied Rep. Matt Gaetz was offered chairmanship of a subcommittee in exchange for his "present" vote on speaker and said it would be up to the steering committee to decide those appointments. 

“No one gets promised anything,” McCarthy said. “Whatever happens in steering.” 

The GOP only holds a slim majority in the chamber – 222 Republicans compared with 212 Democrats – which meant McCarthy could not afford many defections.

McCarthy represents California and previously served as House minority leader. McCarthy has already vowed to launch multiple investigations into President Joe Biden and his administration.

Now, the House can proceed with the rest of its business, including administering the oath of office to newly elected members.

CNN's Ted Barrett and Kit Maher contributed to this report.

When asked for his message to Rep. Kevin McCarthy, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters, "Let’s see what happens when the votes are tallied.”

While the vote is still underway, McCarthy appears to have clinched enough support to win speakership in the 15th round of voting.

The 118th Congress will see a record-setting number of women.

Below is a breakdown by numbers of the new House.

Breakdown by party:

Republicans had a net gain of nine seats in 2022 elections. 

Freshmen class: There will be 75 freshmen House members in the 118th Congress. Republicans defeated five Democratic incumbents, while Democrats defeated only two sitting Republicans. 

Freshmen: 75

2022 flipped House districts

Total: 25

Women: The 118th Congress will see a record number of women in the House. The number of Democratic and Republican women in the House both match previous record highs. 

Total: 124

Freshmen women: 22

Rep. Kevin McCarthy appears to have flipped enough GOP hardliners to become House speaker after 15 rounds of voting, ending a dramatic deadlock.

The final vote comes after multiple days of negotiations and a stunning defeat for the California congressman in the 14th round of voting, where McCarthy and his allies had earlier expressed optimism that he would finally secure the position.

Once the vote is finalized, the House can proceed with the rest of its business, including administering the oath of office to newly elected members.

Rep. Matt Gaetz voted "present" in the 15th round of voting for House speakership.

Gaetz also voted present in the 14th round after initially walking out the chamber when his name was first called.

CNN previously reported that former President Donald Trump spoke to Gaetz after it appeared Rep. Kevin McCarthy was not going to secure the speakership.

The House is now voting on a 15th ballot for House speaker.

Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida is expected to switch his vote from "present" to "yes," in theory giving Rep. Kevin McCarthy the votes to become speaker, multiple lawmakers tell CNN.

The GOP now believes it can get McCarthy his long-sought position on the 15th ballot.

On the floor: GOP lawmakers made a last-minute move and stopped the motion to adjourn to vote on the speakership one more time.

GOP Rep. Kevin McCarthy has been nominated for a 15th ballot after a chaotic scene erupted on the House floor.

McCarthy failed to secure enough support during a 14th round of voting earlier tonight.

An extraordinary scene erupted as McCarthy confronted Rep. Matt Gaetz, whose vote could have given him the role he has sought for so long.