Republican Kevin McCarthy is the new speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, but as hard as he tries to hold the hammer in a historic election, it may be even harder for him to get much done from that position—or even hold on to it.

Like the last two Republican presidents, John Boehner and Paul Ryan, Mr. McCarthy assumes control of a troubled, rebellious majority that is almost as divided as the party itself between what’s left of the GOP conservatives and new generation of tea. party hardliners, from the Tea Party to Donald Trump, have little support for big government.

The chaos that erupted over four days of voting in the House of Representatives and delayed the start of the new Congress is a prelude to a highly uncertain path forward as Mr. McCarthy attempts to lead a rebellious Republican majority to realize his priorities and oppose President Joe Biden. agenda.

“That’s good: because it took so long, now we’ve learned how to manage,” suggested the California Republican, first elected in 2006, on his way to victory.

Mr. McCarthy weathered a grueling week-long campaign to win the presidential election, an election unlike any since the American Civil War. He was eventually forced to wait for the 15th round of voting, but not before a final chaotic scene of screaming fights between his supporters and rivals pushed the vote into the early hours of Saturday.

After all, Mr. McCarthy appears to be a weakened president with less power on paper than his predecessors. This is especially true because he agreed to make a key concession to far-right prisoners: to restore a rule that allows any legislator to make a “vacation motion”, essentially vote to remove the speaker from that leadership position.

underestimated;

But somehow, the native of Bakersfield, an oil and agricultural hub in central California, survived one of the most brutal battles in the history of the US Congress and prides himself on being an underrated political champion.

“Obviously I enjoy making history,” joked the future Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives at one point in a tumultuous week.

Mr. McCarthy put everything on the line in his political career, betting on the support of Donald Trump, and was a former president who stepped up when needed, even calling late and “helping get those last few votes.”

But there are many trials ahead of him. Congress has bills to pass to fund the government, resupply a military depleted by decades of war and help Ukraine, enact agricultural programs, and raise the national borrowing limit to avert an unprecedented bankruptcy of the federal government.

Republicans in the House of Representatives are keen to confront Mr. Biden over the White House’s handling of the U.S.-Mexico border, the COVID-19 crisis and other issues, as well as investigations into Mr. Biden himself, his family, and his government.

“I came to Washington to challenge the status quo,” Republican Rep. Bob Good of Virginia wrote in an article before he voted against Mr. McCarthy. “I intend to keep that promise.” Goode was one of six Republicans who voted “in attendance” on the final ballot.

Less Experience

Mr. McCarthy has been in the House for 15 years, half as long as his predecessor in office, Nancy Pelosi, when she first took the helm, and has far fewer victories in the legislature. In last week’s talks with hardliners, he was forced to return a “proposal of impeachment,” that is, a motion to impeach the Speaker of Parliament, to convince opponents who could now threaten him with him every day.

“If the CEO doesn’t do his job, you can fire him – it’s the same in politics,” said South Carolina Rep. Ralph Norman, one of the lawmakers McCarthy convinced with his proposed rule changes.

The chaos that erupted last week in the House of Representatives could be a prelude to the upcoming Congress. “What you’ve been seeing all week,” Mr. Norman said, “is how democracy works.” Mr McCarthy can’t say he wasn’t warned…

Source: Associated Press.