Inside The Capitol During The Dramatic, Dysfunctional And “Deliberative” Moments That Led To Kevin McCarthy Winning The House Speakership
07.01.2023 - 20:57
/ deadline.com
Kevin McCarthy finally got the speakership earlier this morning, but not before a weeklong slog that saw flared tempers, animated huddles and, in the penultimate drama before his moment of victory, a near-brawl.
Inside the chamber, many reporters in the press gallery had risen from their seats once McCarthy walked down the center aisle to converse with Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), the lone holdout he needed to obtain a majority, as McCarthy’s allies sat and crouched down to plead with the dissident. “On your knees,” one Democrat said loudly, as other lawmakers began to fix their gaze on what was unfolding.
Soon voices were raised. Gaetz pointed his finger at McCarthy, and McCarthy’s face was one of utter frustration. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL) walked over and, in a moment that will forever live in the annals of House speaker votes, began to lunge at Gaetz before being restrained by Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC).
From the gallery, there gasps were heard, and the scene looked like it would descend into something resembling the shoving matches that occasionally break out during an NFL game, as Rogers was dragged away and an angry McCarthy walked back to say something to Gaetz. “Keep it civil,” one lawmaker could be heard saying.
“Madame clerk, I rise to say, ‘Wow,'” Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN), said later, as he nominated Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries when the vote went to the 15th and final ballot.
Largely thanks to C-SPAN, given much more free rein to capture candid moments among the lawmakers, viewers saw the drama and disarray.
But before and after the near brawl, McCarthy and his allies already had been preparing to explain the weeklong speaker vote, fueled by the GOP’s slim majority, as part of the sometimes messy but