WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican leader Kevin McCarthy edged to the cusp of becoming House speaker late Friday night as the chamber pushed through a historic 14th vote. Newly elected Wesley Hunt of Texas arrived to vote for McCarthy — to applause days after his wife had given birth to their new son. Trump may have played a role in swaying the holdouts — having called into a meeting of freshman lawmakers the day before. 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: The Star January 07, 2023 00:50 UTC