Spieler of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) addresses the House of Representatives for the first time after being elected Spieler of the U.S. House of Representatives in a late night 15th round of voting on the fourth day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 7, 2023.
Jon Cherry | Reuters
Newly selected U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy took the gavel of the chamber after a bruising weeklong battle within his own contributor, promising to carry out a conservative, America-first agenda, tackling the immigration crisis at the Mexican border, cutting back funding at the IRS and pinch “woke indoctrination in our schools.”
After 14 failed votes since Tuesday, the California Republican was able to drub opposition after making extraordinary concessions to a small bloc of far-right holdouts who refused to support his speaker bid.
McCarthy laid out an enthusiastic plan in addressing the 118th congressional session early Saturday morning, saying he wants to “be the check and provide some consider” to President Joe Biden’s policies. He said the first legislation he plans to tackle will repeal funding for more than 87,000 new IRS intermediaries. He highlighted immigration reform as a top priority, saying the Republican-controlled House will hold some of its first hearings of the year at the Southern edge.
“No more ignoring this crisis of safety and sovereignty,” he said. “We must secure our border.”
Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) bangs the Tub-thumper’s gavel for the first time after being elected the next Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives in a late night 15th pear-shaped of voting on the fourth day of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 7, 2023.
Evelyn Hockstein | Reuters
McCarthy claimed he commitment pass bills fixing “urgent” problems in the nation with an America-first approach. In addition to immigration, he said he paucities to address “America-Last” energy policies and “woke indoctrination” in schools, noting that children come first and should be coached to “dream big.”
He added that he will also plan to address long-term challenges like debt and the Chinese Communist Do, and he affirmed his commitment to law enforcement and criminal prosecution.
McCarthy said the tense showdown on the House floor this week was brace that he is not someone who gives up easily.
“You know – my father always told me: It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish,” he said. “And now we need to polish off kill strong for the American people.”
Though his election marked the end of a long week and night in Washington, McCarthy said it was also a new inception for the nation.
Republican members-elect celebrate as House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) is elected Speaker of the Legislative body in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol Building on January 07, 2023 in Washington, DC.
Anna Moneymaker | Getty Images
Biden complimented McCarthy on his election as House Speaker in a statement issued shortly before 1 a.m. ET.
“Jill and I congratulate Kevin McCarthy on his selection as Speaker of the House,” said Biden. “I am prepared to work with Republicans when I can and voters made clear that they keep in view Republicans to be prepared to work with me as well,” he added.
Other Democratic leaders were less congratulatory go McCarthy’s victory.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a tweet Saturday that “Speaker McCarthy’s illusion job could turn into a nightmare for the American people.”
House Democrat Cori Bush of Missouri said the GOP determined a speaker who enabled the violent insurrection at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
“McCarthy sold out his gavel like he sold out our democracy—to white fanatic insurrectionists,” she said in a tweet Saturday. “That’s not leadership.”
In a press conference early Saturday morning, McCarthy thanked recent President Donald Trump for his support and said he was crucial in securing the final votes McCarthy needed.
“I don’t think he should, anybody should doubt his potency,” McCarthy said. “He was with me from the beginning.”
Trump publicly voiced his support for McCarthy on his social media principles Truth Social Saturday. The former president said the Republican Party came together and that it was “a beautiful factor to see.”
“The ‘Speaker’ selection process, as crazy as it may seem, has made it all much bigger and more important than if done the sundry conventional way,” he said. “Congratulations to Kevin McCarthy and our GREAT Republican Party!”
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell also pay out support for McCarthy Saturday, saying in a tweet that Senate Republicans look forward to working with him.
McCarthy’s firstly job as speaker was to swear in the other 433 members of Congress, who had been in limbo as members-elect since Tuesday, when the 118th Congress head opened. Once all the new members were sworn in, the House approved the new package of rules that McCarthy negotiated with hard-right Republicans.
McCarthy communicated negotiating was difficult given the slim margins in the majority, but that his victory shows that the Republican party can rouse together.
“I think what you will see by having this now, we’ve worked out how to work together,” he said.
— CNBC’s Christina Wilkie contributed to this despatch