McCarthy also loses his second vote as speaker of the US House

New flop for Kevin McCarthy, who did not even pass the second ballot to succeed Nancy Pelosi as speaker of the House.

The 212 dems voted together for their leader Hakim Jeffries, while McCarthy still stopped at 203 votes, always losing 19 among the Republicans, this time all paid to the 'hawk' Jim Jordan, also an ally of Donald Trump.

Shortly before the vote, Jordan himself had urged his party mates to support McCarthy but the 19 'dissidents' voted for him.

McCarthy's allies have explained that they will continue with new rounds of voting until a way emerges for him to be elected speaker.

Until this happens, the activity of the Chamber will remain frozen. 

Younger (average age 46 in the Chamber and 50 in the Senate), more diverse (record for Latinos, first native-born senator in almost two decades) but also more divided.

The new US Congress, the 118th, took office today with the traditional swearing-in ceremony, the welcome to the freshmen and the first knot to face after the era of the iconic Nancy Pelosi, welcomed back, as a simple deputy, with a standing ovation: the appointment of his successor, after the Grand Old party regained the House in Midterm with a narrow majority (222 to 212, one seat is vacant), while the dem kept the Senate with an extra seat.

But in the vote for the speaker, the third office in the state, the Republicans presented themselves divided, with a group of deputies from the

more radical and Trumpian wing determined to block the way to the 57-year-old Californian Kevin McCarthy.

Five diehards 'No Kevin', who accuse him of not being conservative enough or of having personal disagreements with him: enough to prevent the quorum of 218 votes, given that the 212 dem supported their flag candidate Hakim Jeffries together, first African-American leader in the House.

The five voted for Arizona's ultra-conservative rival Andy Biggs, who was later supported by as many party colleagues, while 9 voted for other candidates.

given that the 212 dem supported their flag candidate Hakim Jeffries, the first African American leader in the House.

The five voted for Arizona's ultra-conservative rival Andy Biggs, who was later supported by as many party colleagues, while 9 voted for other candidates.

given that the 212 dem supported their flag candidate Hakim Jeffries, the first African American leader in the House.

The five voted for Arizona's ultra-conservative rival Andy Biggs, who was later supported by as many party colleagues, while 9 voted for other candidates.