Kevin McCarthy clears first hurdle to becoming House Speaker

{O/C} Republican leader Kevin McCarthy has snatched the nomination for the U.S. House Speaker, clearing the first hurdle with majority support from his colleagues.

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A secret ballot yielded the result of 188-31, with votes cast by both new and returning lawmakers.

McCarthy will still need to garner support from no fewer than 218 lawmakers when the new Congress convenes in January next year.