The House Republican leadership standoff ended early Saturday morning with Kevin McCarthy winning the speaker's gavel on a historic 15th vote.
It was the longest such election since 1859.
The drama stretched into a fourth day Friday with three more failed votes to decide on a speaker after 11 others over Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday -- the last one ending in a heated one-vote loss at the hands of holdout Matt Gaetz.
McCarthy had been stymied by a small group of hardliners demanding concessions to reshape how the House is run and legislation it prioritizes.
Here's how the story is developing. All times Eastern.
Jan 07, 2023, 1:16 AM EST
Jeffries hands McCarthy the speaker's gavel
At approximately 1:15 a.m. Saturday, McCarthy was handed the speaker's gavel from Democratic caucus leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries 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, D.C., on Jan. 7, 2023.
Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images
But before Jeffries turned it over to McCarthy, he ran through a list of Democratic accomplishments over the past two years and gave a final nod to former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
"Pelosi will go down in history as the greatest speaker of all time," Jeffries said.
House Speaker-elect Rep. Kevin McCarthy listens as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries speaks on the House floor at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Jan. 7, 2023.
Andrew Harnik/AP
Jeffries said this is a moment of "transition" for Congress, from a "year of accomplishment to a year of ambiguity."
"But we do extend our hand of partnership to you," he said.
Jan 07, 2023, 1:01 AM EST
Biden congratulates McCarthy, says he's prepared to work with GOP
The White House has put out a statement from President Joe Biden, in which he and first lady Jill Biden congratulated McCarthy.
"The American people expect their leaders to govern in a way that puts their needs above all else, and that is what we need to do now," Biden said.
"As I said after the midterms, I am prepared to work with Republicans when I can and voters made clear that they expect Republicans to be prepared to work with me as well," he continued. "Now that the leadership of the House of Representatives has been decided it is time for that process to begin."
Biden said it's "imperative" the nation continues to make economic progress, protect Social Security and Medicare benefits and defend national security.
"As the last two years show, we can do profound things for the country when we do them together," Biden said.
Jan 07, 2023, 12:53 AM EST
McCarthy's reaction after win: 'Glad it's over'
McCarthy's first words stepping off the House floor after clinching the speakership: "Glad it's over."
McCarthy also said "no one gets promised anything" when asked if he promised Rep.-elect Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., a subcommittee gavel.
Gaetz blocked McCarthy from winning in the 14th round, much to the frustration of the caucus, but changed his vote to "present" in the 15th and final ballot.
-ABC News' Will Steakin and Lauren Peller
Jan 07, 2023, 12:40 AM EST
McCarthy finally wins speakership, ending gridlock in the House
McCarthy has finally won the speakership after receiving 216 votes.
Republicans erupted into applause and cheers as the victory became apparent around 12:30 a.m.
House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy celebrates after being elected Speaker of the House in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 7, 2023 in Washington.
Win Mcnamee/Getty Images
McCarthy consistently had the most votes of any Republican but was stymied all week by a small but influential group of GOP rebels who opposed his bid.
The California Republican offered a slate of concessions to pave his pathway, including lowering the threshold of support needed to trigger a vote to remove a speaker to just one lawmaker.
Six of the final GOP holdouts voted "present" in the last round, clearing the way for McCarthy to get to a majority.
Republican House Leader Kevin McCarthy celebrates as he is elected to be the next Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives in a late night 15th round of voting on the fourth session of the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Jan. 7, 2023.
Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters
Lasting 15 rounds and four days, the vote counting took a historic amount of time and was the longest process to name a speaker since before the Civil War.
The process prevented the House from conducting any business, including considering bills, forming committees and even swearing in lawmakers, which put staff pay, meetings with intelligence officials and more at risk. With a speaker now elected, House business can move forward.
