O republicano Kevin McCarthy foi eleito presidente da Câmara em uma votação histórica após a meia-noite, na madrugada deste sábado, superando resistências de seu próprio partido e tensões no plenário que transbordaram após uma semana caótica que testou a capacidade da nova maioria republicana de governar.
Depois de quatro dias de votações exaustivas, McCarthy virou mais de uma dúzia de conservadores resistentes a se tornarem apoiadores. Faltou um voto para o republicano na 14ª votação, o que fez a Câmara tornar-se barulhenta e indisciplinada. McCarthy caminhou para o fundo da Câmara para enfrentar resistentes. Dedos foram apontados e palavras trocadas, mas violência aparentemente evitada.
Com a ordem restaurada, os republicanos alinharam-se para dar a McCarthy o cargo que tanto lutou para conquistar: presidente da Câmara, segundo na linha de sucessão à presidência. A contagem foi de 216 a 212 com os democratas votando no líder Hakeem Jeffries e seis republicanos resistindo a McCarthy. Foi o fim de um amargo impasse que havia mostrado os pontos fortes e a fragilidade da democracia americana.
OLIVIER DOULIERY / AFP - Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (R) embraces newly elected Speaker of the US House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy after he was elected on the 15th ballot at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on January 7, 2023. - Kevin McCarthy's election to his dream job of speaker of the US House of Representatives was secured through a mix of bombproof ambition, a talent for cutting deals and a proven track record of getting Republicans what they need.
He only won election as speaker after they forced him to endure 15 rounds of voting -- a torrid spectacle unseen in the US Capitol since 1859. (Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY / AFP)
OLIVIER DOULIERY / AFP - Newly elected Speaker of the US House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy takes the oath of office after he was elected on the 15th ballot at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on January 7, 2023. - Kevin McCarthy's election to his dream job of speaker of the US House of Representatives was secured through a mix of bombproof ambition, a talent for cutting deals and a proven track record of getting Republicans what they need.
He only won election as speaker after they forced him to endure 15 rounds of voting -- a torrid spectacle unseen in the US Capitol since 1859. (Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY / AFP)
OLIVIER DOULIERY / AFP - Newly elected Speaker of the US House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy takes the oath of office after he was elected on the 15th ballot at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on January 7, 2023. - Kevin McCarthy's election to his dream job of speaker of the US House of Representatives was secured through a mix of bombproof ambition, a talent for cutting deals and a proven track record of getting Republicans what they need.
He only won election as speaker after they forced him to endure 15 rounds of voting -- a torrid spectacle unseen in the US Capitol since 1859. (Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY / AFP)
OLIVIER DOULIERY / AFP - Newly elected Speaker of the US House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy (off frame) swears in the members of the 118th Congress at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on January 7, 2023. - Kevin McCarthy's election to his dream job of speaker of the US House of Representatives was secured through a mix of bombproof ambition, a talent for cutting deals and a proven track record of getting Republicans what they need.
He only won election as speaker after they forced him to endure 15 rounds of voting -- a torrid spectacle unseen in the US Capitol since 1859. (Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY / AFP)
OLIVIER DOULIERY / AFP - Newly elected Speaker of the US House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy holds the gavel after he was elected on the 15th ballot at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on January 7, 2023. - Kevin McCarthy's election to his dream job of speaker of the US House of Representatives was secured through a mix of bombproof ambition, a talent for cutting deals and a proven track record of getting Republicans what they need.
He only won election as speaker after they forced him to endure 15 rounds of voting -- a torrid spectacle unseen in the US Capitol since 1859. (Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY / AFP)
Finalmente eleito, McCarthy prestou juramento de posse e a Câmara finalmente pôde jurar os legisladores recém-eleitos que esperavam a semana toda pela abertura formal da casa e pelo início da sessão de 2023-24.
Ansioso para confrontar o presidente americano Joe Biden e o Partido Democrata, McCarthy prometeu intimações e investigações. "Agora começa o trabalho duro", declarou o republicano. Ele deu crédito ao ex-presidente Donald Trump por apoiá-lo e por fazer ligações tardias "ajudando a obter os votos finais".
Com informações da Associated Press
