Republican Kevin McCarthy vowed to remain in the race to be the U.S. House of Representatives speaker, hours after hardline members of his party repeatedly blocked his bid
In the first day of what could prove to be a brutal showdown between about 20 hardliners and the other 202 members of the Republican caucus,failed in three ballots to achieve the 218 votes needed to become speaker, a role second in line to the Oval Office after the vice president.
Late on Tuesday, McCarthy told reporters that former President Donald Trump had called him and reiterated his support. Trump has backed McCarthy in the race and remains a powerful figure in the Republican Party. "I think that Kevin knows that this is his last shot," said Representative Kenneth Buck, who had voted to support McCarthy. He noted that McCarthy previously tried in 2015 to become speaker and failed in the face of conservative opposition, adding, "He's not gonna have this chance again."
The chamber's top Democrat, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, bested McCarthy in all three votes. In the day's final tally, Jeffries led McCarthy 212 to 202 votes. A majority of those voting, not a plurality, is needed to determine a speaker.
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