GOP drama unfolds on House floor as furious Kevin McCarthy confronts Matt Gaetz for dashing last speaker’s hopes

TO UPDATE:

EARLIER: Some dramatic moments played out on the House floor, all captured live by C-SPAN cameras, as Kevin McCarthy Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), a robber key to his efforts to secure a majority for the speakership in the final vote to secure.

At one point Rep. Mike Rogers tries to out-vote Gaetz enough to deny McCarthy a majority. Cameras caught another member-elect, Richard Hudson, grabbing and holding Rogers.

McCarthy walked down the aisle to talk to Gaetz, reportedly trying to get him to change his vote. After a while, voices rang out between the two.

This intense scene occurred on the second anniversary of the January 6 attack, when members blocked the doors several feet from where the latest incident took place to prevent rioters from entering the room.

Gaetz agreed after a long discussion with Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NE), a key Backarthy ally.

Democrats rose from their seats to watch the scene. Previously, Representative Katie Porter (D-CA) was seen reading the book. The subtle art of not caring.

EARLIER: Kevin McCarthy tried to hang on to the election for Speaker of the House as the elected members yet to be sworn in gathered late that night for the 14th roll call.

The atmosphere will be tense. On the final appeal, McCarthy received 114 votes, again short of a majority, while six Republicans abstained.

It is rumored that some of them, like Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), who previously gave a glowing speech against McCarthy, would simply vote “present,” lowering the threshold he needs to win. CNN reported that Gaetz was seen leaving McCarthy’s office but declined to say how he would vote.

Two Republicans who were absent from Friday’s roll call were also expected to return, giving McCarthy’s chances another boost.

Meanwhile, some Democrats appear to have resigned themselves to the possibility that the weeks-long battle between Republicans could soon come to an end. They received 11 consecutive votes, with Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries receiving the most votes of any speaker candidate, though not enough of a majority.

“Word gets around. The intention is still strong. Kevin McCarthy is still standing,” a Democratic lawmaker said before entering the chamber.

If McCarthy can win tonight, members must be sworn in and then a set of rules will be passed. There is some concern among Republicans that given some of McCarthy’s concessions to Freedom Caucus rights, a handful of moderates will vote against the package.

On McCarthy’s nomination, Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) President Joe Biden’s comments about the lengthy process that it was “embarrassing.”

“We know it’s messy, but open and transparent debate sets us apart from authoritarian regimes,” McHenry said.

McCarthy managed to sway dissident lawmakers — there were 20 this morning — by making a series of concessions that reportedly included seats on the Rules Committee and other provisions related to spending limits and the debt ceiling. The concessions seem to give more power to the Freedom Caucus.

With the nomination of Jeffries, Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA) called the concessions “paving the way for division and bankruptcy.”