Photos show tension and mayhem on the House floor during Kevin McCarthy's final push to become speaker

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Taiyler Simone MitchellJan 7, 2023, 14:02 IST
Photos show tension and mayhem on the House floor during Kevin McCarthy's final push to become speaker

U.S. House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) calls out in the House Chamber during the 14th vote for Speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol Building on January 06, 2023 in Washington, DC.Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

  • Lawmakers this week endured 15 rounds of voting for speaker of House.
  • Photos from day four of the seemingly everlasting vote showed commotion throughout the chamber.

Lawmakers in the US House of Representatives went through a historic 15 rounds of voting to elect Rep. Kevin McCarthy to the House speaker position. Here are photos from the final two rounds of speaker voting sessions.

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Rep. Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican, sits in disappointment after his 14th loss during the House Speaker vote on Friday night.

Rep. Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican, sits in disappointment after his 14th loss during the House Speaker vote on Friday night.
Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., reacts after losing the 14th vote in the House chamber as the House meets for the fourth day to elect a speaker and convene the 118th Congress in Washington, Friday, Jan. 6, 2023.AP Photo/Alex Brandon

McCarthy needed a majority of votes to become Speaker of the House, but 20 far-right Republicans withheld their support before the 15th and final vote.

Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida stares off into the distance in the House chamber following McCarthy's 14th loss.

Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida stares off into the distance in the House chamber following McCarthy's 14th loss.
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., looks into the gallery after Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., lost the 14th vote in the House chamber as the House meets for the fourth day to elect a speaker and convene the 118th Congress in Washington, Friday, Jan. 6, 2023.AP Photo/Alex Brandon

Gaetz said he would resign from his role as a representative if Dems in the House voted for McCarthy or a moderate Republican, Insider previously reported.

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Rep. Mike Rogers appears to lunge at Gaetz during the 14th vote, quickly gaining attention from those in the chamber.

Rep. Mike Rogers appears to lunge at Gaetz during the 14th vote, quickly gaining attention from those in the chamber.
Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., left, pulls Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., back as they talk with Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., and other during the 14th round of voting for speaker as the House meets for the fourth day to try and elect a speaker and convene the 118th Congress in Washington, Friday, Jan. 6, 2023.Andrew Harnik/Associated Press

Rep. Richard Hudson was captured holding him back.

US Representative-elect Lance Gooden is spotted holding both of his children, Milla and Liam, inside the House during the 14th vote.

US Representative-elect Lance Gooden is spotted holding both of his children, Milla and Liam, inside the House during the 14th vote.
U.S. Rep.-elect Lance Gooden (R-TX) carries his children Milla and Liam into the House Chamber during the fourth day of elections for Speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol Building on January 06, 2023 in Washington, DC.Win McNamee/Getty Images

Children often accompany their parents to the Speaker vote to watch the lawmakers be sworn into office.

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US Representative-elect Katie Porter turns to reading "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck" by Mark Manson during the 14th speaker vote.

US Representative-elect Katie Porter turns to reading "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck" by Mark Manson during the 14th speaker vote.
U.S. Rep.-elect Katie Porter (D-CA) reads a book in the House Chamber during the fourth day of elections for Speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol Building on January 06, 2023 in Washington, DC.Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Other congress members have taken to similar means to occupy themselves during the seemingly endless voting sessions.

Marjorie Taylor Greene holds a phone out to Representative-elect Matt Rosendale during the 14th voting session.

Marjorie Taylor Greene holds a phone out to Representative-elect Matt Rosendale during the 14th voting session.
Rep.-elect Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) offers a phone to Rep.-elect Matt Rosendale (R-MT) in the House Chamber during the fourth day of voting for Speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol Building on January 06, 2023 in Washington, DC.Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The initials on the phone appear as "DT," indicating a possible phone call to former President Donald Trump.

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McCarthy received a standing ovation from GOP lawmakers after the 15th round of voting solidified him as House speaker.

McCarthy received a standing ovation from GOP lawmakers after the 15th round of voting solidified him as House speaker.
Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., smiles after winning the 15th vote in the House chamber as the House enters the fifth day trying to elect a speaker and convene the 118th Congress in Washington, early Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023.AP Photo/Alex Brandon

The 15th round of voting went into Saturday, January 7, after first starting on Tuesday.

Greene, Gaetz, and Rep. Lauren Boebert stare stoically during the 15th vote.

Greene, Gaetz, and Rep. Lauren Boebert stare stoically during the 15th vote.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. R-Ga., left, Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., center, and Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., listen during the 15th round of votes in the House chamber as the House enters the fifth day trying to elect a speaker and convene the 118th Congress in Washington, early Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023.AP Photo/Alex Brandon

Boebert — who pushed Trump to encourage McCarthy to drop from the speaker race — and Gaetz opposed McCarthy's bid. Greene has supported it and accused Boebert and Gaetz, once her allies, of not negotiating on her behalf as conservative lawmakers made demands while McCarthy tried to secure votes for the speakership, Insider previously reported.

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McCarthy grins and claps for his long-awaited victory early Saturday morning.

McCarthy grins and claps for his long-awaited victory early Saturday morning.
U.S. House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) celebrates after being elected Speaker of the House in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol Building on January 07, 2023 in Washington, DC.Win McNamee/Getty Images
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