DLNews Politics:

Huge slap in the face for Trump confidant Kevin McCarthy (57) in the Speaker of the House of Representatives election!

The Republican caucus leader was set to be elected Speaker of the House on Tuesday during the first session of the newly elected Congress.

Then the sensation: he lost the first ballot and did not achieve a majority. The last time more than one vote happened was a hundred years ago!

McCarthy got 203 votes, losing even to the Democratic Party caucus leader, Hakeem Jeffries (52); the latter got 212. 218 votes are needed for election to office.

McCarthy was nominated for the post by fellow party member Elise Stefanik (38). He is a "seasoned congressman, a seasoned leader, a friend to so many of us, a proud conservative with a tireless work ethic," she said.

Another problem: McCarthy faced competition from within his own ranks.

Representative Andy Biggs (64) from the party's right wing was also nominated for the Republicans. The latter received ten of the Republican votes on the first ballot.

Debacle for McCarthy

McCarthy also lost Tuesday's second round of voting in the House of Representatives. In the second round, 19 Republicans voted for the newly nominated candidate Jim Jordan. McCarthy again received 203 votes, Democrat Jeffries 212.

The third round of voting sealed the debacle for McCarthy, with one Republican defecting to Jordan, who got 20 votes. McCarthy got 202 votes, Democrat Jeffries 212.

The new ballot was postponed until Wednesday. 

After inconclusive results of the first three ballots, the members of the House of Representatives agreed on a new vote at noon on Wednesday until a new leader is chosen; nothing goes in the House of Representatives. So not even new congressmen can be sworn in.

In the congressional election in early November, the Republicans had regained the majority in the chamber. In the Senate, the Democrats continue to hold a slim majority.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives is the third highest political office in the U.S. - more critical are only President Joe Biden (80) and his Vice Kamala Harris (58).