Kevin McCarthy Elected Republican Leader of US House – News

Republican Kevin McCarthy was named his party’s leader of the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday, making him the top speaker if his party regains control as expected after the midterm elections.

The 57-year-old California congressman, who has held senior positions in the lower house since 2014, was elected by secret ballot, defeating Andy Biggs, a member of the far-right, influential Freedom Caucus.

But potential defections from the right could further complicate his path when the full Lok Sabha votes in January.

After failing to wrest control of the Senate from President Joe Biden’s Democrats in the Nov. 8 election, Republicans are now on track to regain control of the House.

Jan. 3, when the newly elected 435 members of the Lok Sabha elect their president, the third-highest political office in the United States after the president and vice president, Jan.

The top Republican leader was weakened by Republicans’ poor performance in the polls, as the Republican “red tide” predicted by conservatives failed to materialize.

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© Agence France-Presse