After a week of tense division among Republicans in the United States House, the battle to elect a House Speaker is over. Congressman Kevin McCarthy of California has been elected speaker in an early Saturday morning vote.

 

McCarthy slammed the gavel down to officially kick off the 118th Congress early Saturday morning, holding the speaker’s gavel and conducting a swearing-in ceremony for new members.

For the past week, 20 Republicans have been holding out hoping to win more conservative concessions from McCarthy.

After he got the win in the 15th and final vote, McCarthy told his colleagues: "I hope one thing is clear after this week: I will never give up. I will never give up for you, the American people. And I will never give up on keeping our Commitment to America."

"If the son of a fireman and grandchild of immigrants can rise to the highest position in the most important legislative body in the world and if my colleague Hakeem Jeffries with his life story can rise to lead his party then opportunity and democracy still thrive in America," McCarthy said.

He added: "To Leader Jeffries – there will be times we will agree and many times we will differ. 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."

McCarthy Also Had a Joke or 2 During His Speech:

"Hakeem – I need to warn you: I also won 100 percent of my conference vote on this floor two years ago. So, good luck!" McCarthy jokingly said.

Louisiana Congressmen Steve Scalise, Mike Johnson and Garrett Graves were among the leaders chosen to escort McCarthy back into the Chamber after he was elected.

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