Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) secured his bid for House speaker early Saturday morning, but that feat will likely be a “nightmare for the American people,” Democrats emphatically warned.
At times amused by the bitter GOP infighting that paralyzed Congress for nearly a week, top Democrats tore into his ascension fretting that the drawn-out saga emboldened the “extreme” wing of the Republican Party and enticed McCarthy to more aggressively pursue his party’s agenda and deploy hardball tactics.
MCCARTHY ELECTED HOUSE SPEAKER FOLLOWING HIGH-DRAMA FLOOR FIGHT
“Speaker McCarthy’s dream job could turn into a nightmare for the American people. To get the votes, he surrendered to demands of a fringe element of the GOP. Americans want Congress to build on the historic bipartisan achievements from the last two years, not more gridlock,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) warned on Twitter.
Speaker McCarthy’s dream job could turn into a nightmare for the American people.
To get the votes, he surrendered to demands of a fringe element of the GOP.
Americans want Congress to build on the historic bipartisan achievements from the last two years, not more gridlock.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) January 7, 2023
After 15 rounds of voting, McCarthy ultimately won at midnight on Saturday with 216 votes in favor, six present, and 212 for Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY). He began the first ballot with 19 votes against him from Republican holdouts, who were largely members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus.
To win them over, McCarthy reportedly cut deals with them on rules governing procedures in the House. This included caving to demands for a one-vote threshold to trigger a motion to vacate — something that could cause him problems down the line.
“After 15 tries, Kevin McCarthy secured himself the title of Speaker of the House by handing power over to the most extreme MAGA Republicans. This week has made it clear a McCarthy speakership will be completely beholden to the most extreme MAGA elements of the Republican Party,” the official Democrats’ Twitter account chided.
After 15 tries, Kevin McCarthy secured himself the title of Speaker of the House by handing power over to the most extreme MAGA Republicans.
This week has made it clear a McCarthy speakership will be completely beholden to the most extreme MAGA elements of the Republican Party.
— The Democrats (@TheDemocrats) January 7, 2023
President Joe Biden struck a more unifying tone, congratulating him on the achievement.
“Jill and I congratulate Kevin McCarthy on his election as Speaker of the House. As I said after the midterms, I am prepared to work with Republicans when I can and voters made clear that they expect Republicans to be prepared to work with me as well. Now that the leadership of the House of Representatives has been decided it is time for that process to begin,” he said in a statement.
House Democrats stood unified behind House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), who made history after officially becoming the first black man to helm a major party in Congress, throughout the dayslong process to elect a new speaker.
“House Republicans have shown the world they’re unable to govern. Divided, obsessed with power, and caving to extremists’ demands,” Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Suzan DelBene proclaimed in a statement.
“Democrats stand united, ready to find solutions to improve the lives of the American people, and we will hold accountable those who enable chaos and embrace extremism. In two short years, voters will restore sanity by electing a Democratic majority,” she added.
Jeffries welcomed McCarthy as speaker during proceedings Thursday, but took a few shots at Republicans before doing so. He suggested Democrats put the “Constitution over the cult. Freedom over fascism. Governing over gaslighting. Hopefulness over hatred. Knowledge over Kangaroo Court. Maturity over Mar-a-Lago. Opportunity over obstruction. Quality of life over Qanon.”
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“That was easy, huh? I never thought I’d get up here,” McCarthy quipped after assuming the gavel from Jeffries, warning him that two years ago he “got 100% of the vote from my conference.”
The contentious speakership debacle was the longest election of its kind since 1859. The last time a speaker race lasted more than one round was in 1923. Despite being vexed by holdouts, McCarthy has vowed not to retaliate against Republican defectors.
