House goes Red; Senate GOP sticks with Mitch McConnell as leader: Live Updates
He announced Tuesday night that he would make a third bid for the White House, despite mounting criticism from Republicans about being a drag on the ticket.
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Here are the latest updates:
What the House results mean for the Republicans
With Republicans officially winning the House Wednesday, Nancy Pelosi will not be speaker when the new Congress is sworn in Jan. 3.
The new GOP majority will usher in a new group of leaders in Washington. If elected to succeed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in the top post, Kevin McCarthy would lead what will likely be a rowdy conference of House Republicans, most of whom are aligned with Trump’s bare-knuckle brand of politics.
Donald Trump announces his 2024 presidential campaign as GOP debates futureHouse Republicans select McCarthy as GOP leader, Scott takes on McConnell to lead Senate GOP
Rep. Kevin McCarthy was elected Tuesday by the GOP caucus to keep his job as Republican leader, making him the favorite to be the next speaker of the House in January. McCarthy beat back a challenge from Arizona Republican Andy Biggs, a member of the ultra-conservative Freedom Caucus.
With some races still to be called, as of Tuesday night Republicans are one seat away from taking back the House. A win would put McCarthy in position to run the chamber starting in January. The official vote for speaker won’t take place until Jan. 3 when lawmakers are sworn in. If McCarthy is chosen by the full House, he will replace Democrat Nancy Pelosi.
– Candy Woodall, Sarah Elbeshbishi
Some opposition to McCarthy remains
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla, said Tuesday he would oppose McCarthy’s bid for speaker no matter what, telling reporters that there is a “critical mass” of Republicans who oppose McCarthy.
“Kevin McCarthy couldn’t get 218,” Gaetz said, referring to the majority of the 435-seat chamber. “He couldn’t get 200 votes. He couldn’t get 190 votes today. So, to believe Kevin McCarthy is going to be speaker you have to believe he’s going to get votes in the next six weeks that he couldn’t get in the last six years.”
– Candy Woodall, Sarah Elbeshbishi