Republicans have endorsed Rep. Kevin McCarthy for U.S. House Speaker. In the secret ballot, McCarthy secured 188 votes, while Rep. Andy Briggs secured 31 votes.

Rep. McCarthy has been preparing to take on the role of U.S. House Speaker since his November 8th, when Rep. McCarthy beat (D) Marisa Wood. Rep. McCarthy gained roughly 66.7% of the vote before the race was called with only 60% of the reporting in.

McCarthy will need to get at least 218 votes when the remaining 13 uncalled U.S. House elections are finished, and while the GOP is assuming they will take the majority when the elections finished being counted, McCarthy will still be waiting to see if there will be at least 218 members of the U.S. House who will approve the GOP’s pick for U.S. Speaker of the House.