After a tiring 15 rounds of voting, Republican candidate, Kevin McCarthy has been elected Speaker of the US House of Representatives.
McCarthy won the 15th ballot after Republican party rebels including Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz backed down and voted for him. He secured 216 of the 428 votes cast late on Friday. New York Democrat, Hakeem Jeffries got 212 votes.
The Speaker sets the House agenda and oversees legislative business. The post is second in line to the presidency after the US vice-president.
Jeffries will serve as Minority leader in the new Congress.
In November’s midterm elections, Republicans won the House by a weaker-than-expected margin of 222 to 212. Democrats retained control of the Senate.
