It turns out that the battle between now Sen. Mitt Romney and President Trump is not the only infighting within the GOP. Kevin McCarthy was re-elected as GOP leader by the new 116th Congress Thursday, securing the victory with 192 votes, but a few rebel conservatives caused a stir by voting against him. Rep. Justin Amash (MI) was the first to break ranks and announce his support for Rep. Thomas Massie (KY). He was booed by some of his fellow congressmen.
GOP MI Rep Amash votes for GOP KY Rep Massie for Speaker over McCarthy. A boo is heard on the GOP side of the aisle
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) January 3, 2019
Massie also rebelled against the party establishment and was one of five Republicans to vote for conservative firebrand and Freedom Caucus co-founder Rep. Jim Jordan (OH).
“To drain the swamp, Jim Jordan,” Massie said.
In November Jordan explained why he was running against McCarthy.
“Two years ago the American people elected President Trump to come to this town to shake it up and he's done just that. But I don't think they've seen this same intensity from House Republicans.”
Check out the full tally of votes below.
Speaker of the House vote results:
— NBC News (@NBCNews) January 3, 2019
Nancy Pelosi: 220
Kevin McCarthy: 192
Jim Jordan: 5
Cheri Bustos: 4
Tammy Duckworth: 2
Joe Biden: 1
Stephanie Murphy: 1
John Lewis: 1
Joe Kennedy: 1
Stacey Abrams: 1
Marcia Fudge: 1
Thomas Massie: 1
Voting present: 3https://t.co/jJrc24xN5x
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Before McCarthy handed over the speaker's gavel to Pelosi, he remarked on their common goals.
"As fellow citizens and friends, let us lead together and show the people that we are truly their voice and their vote," he said. "In that spirit, in the pursuit of a more perfect union, and in the unshakable belief that America was, is and will always be the greatest country on the face of the earth, I extend the hand of friendship to every member of this body."
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