Republican is hopeful that deal with far-right detractors could award him speaker title while House business remains paralyzed
The House Republican leader, Kevin McCarthy, came within striking distance of winning the speakership, in a clear sign of momentum despite losing a 13th consecutive vote on the fourth day of a grinding intra-party showdown.
After the contours of a deal began to emerge late on Thursday night, 15 far-right holdouts dropped their opposition and voted for McCarthy on Friday, when the embattled Republican gave his support to a proposal that would undermine his own power while giving the far-right flank more influence over the legislative process, including the ability to more easily remove a speaker.
