Washington: Republican Kevin McCarthy's bid to become speaker of the US House of Representatives faced difficulties as hardline conservatives rebelled against him in a series of votes Tuesday, angering the newly elected Republican majority.

McCarthy twice fell short of the 218-vote threshold needed to succeed Democrat Nancy Pelosi as speaker, leading to what could be a brutal showdown between hard-liners and the vast majority of House Republicans. For the first time in a century the House failed to elect the speaker on the ballot.

As the polls entered the third round Tuesday afternoon, McCarthy also appeared to lack substantial support, with at least 20 Republicans voting for popular conservative Representative Jim Jordan to try to block McCarthy.

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After the second round of voting, McCarthy gave no indication that he would drop out of the race, telling reporters: "We'll be in this until we win ... It will eventually change."

The speaker's lengthy election could dash House Republicans' hopes of moving quickly on issues such as the economy, US energy independence and border security, as well as legislative priorities related to President Joe Biden's administration and the Family investigation.

In the event of a deadlock, the House will be largely paralyzed and MPs may be forced to consider another candidate. In addition to Jordan, new Majority Leader Steve Scalise was being considered as a possible contender.

McCarthy had held the position of House Minority Leader before trying to become Speaker, second in line to succeed him as US President, but he was met with fierce opposition from the right wing of his party.

McCarthy lost to House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries on two separate occasions on Tuesday by a vote of 212 to 203. Staunchly conservative Representative Andy Biggs received 10 votes to run against McCarthy on the first ballot.

A speaker must be elected by a majority of those voting, not a plurality.

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Popular conservative Jordan tried to endorse California Republican McCarthy in the second vote, but McCarthy's opponent Matt Gaetz of Florida nominated Jordan instead.

"We need to rally around him," Jordan argued passionately on the House floor. I think Kevin McCarthy is the best person to lead us. Jordan, 58, co-founded the conservative House Freedom Caucus Key and is a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump.

Jordan, a former college wrestler who now represents an Ohio congressional district, was McCarthy's primary opponent on Tuesday, but cast three votes for him. Jordan is getting ready to direct the House Judiciary Committee's investigations into the FBI and the Justice Department under Biden.

McCarthy's debut for the new majority was troubling, and it highlights the difficulties Republicans could face over the next two years as they prepare for the 2024 presidential election. A small number of radicals who want to focus on defeating Democrats and pursuing various investigations now have more influence because of their smaller majority.

The Republican Party won the midterm elections in November by a 222-212 majority, so McCarthy or any other candidate for speaker would need to bring the divided caucus together to pick up the gavel. Democrats have a slim margin of victory in the Senate.

McCarthy's staunch opponents worry that he is less invested in the partisan and culture wars that have dominated the House, especially in the latter years of Trump's tenure as president.

McCarthy attempted to convince the holdouts before voting during a closed-door party meeting, promising to remain in the race until he received the necessary votes, but many participants found the meeting unconvincing. left.

It was unclear whether McCarthy, who enjoys the support of a large majority of his caucus, would have enough votes to stop the opposition's impasse and win the speakership. In 2015, he made an unsuccessful bid for the speakership due to conservative opposition.

McCarthy has worked in politics throughout his adult life, first as a congressional aide and then as a state legislator before being elected to serve in the House in 2006. ,

However, managing a House Republican caucus that is moving ever to the right, with disproportionate tendencies and -- at least among some lawmakers -- loyalty to Trump, will be a difficult task for any Republican speaker.
A House speaker has been chosen in the past by 133 votes cast over a two-month period dating back to the 1850s.

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After Pelosi, the first woman to hold the position of speaker, announced she would step down from her leadership position, Democrats chose Jeffries to take over as minority leader. She will continue to serve in that capacity.