McCarthy makes big gains for speaker, but he’s still shortWASHINGTON (AP) — Republican leader Kevin McCarthy flipped 15 colleagues to supporters in dramatic votes for House speaker on Friday, making extraordinary gains on the fourth day and the 12th and 13th ballots of a historic standoff that has tested American democracy and the GOP majority's ability to govern. “I believe at that time we’ll have the votes to finish this once and for all,” McCarthy told reporters. But not this time: About 200 Republicans have been stymied by 20 far-right colleagues who said he’s not conservative enough. McCarthy had resisted allowing a return to the longstanding rule that former Speaker Nancy Pelosi had done away with, because it had been held over the head of past Republican Speaker Boehner. Pressure has grown with each passing day for McCarthy to somehow find the votes he needs or step aside.

Source: National Post January 06, 2023 20:06 UTC