McCarthy finally won the speaker's gavel after historic 15 rounds of voting.
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.
McCarthy fell just one vote shy of winning the speakership in a late-night vote on Friday.
The GOP leader received 216 votes. He needed 217 to have a majority of the 432 votes cast.
None of the six remaining holdouts flipped to McCarthy. Rep. Matt Gaetz and Rep Lauren Boebert -- two of his Republican defectors -- voted "present." Two of his opponents voted for Rep. Jim Jordan and two voted for Rep. Andy Biggs.
Rep.-elect Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., criticized his colleagues on the other side of the aisle over the Jan. 6 attack as he nominated Rep. Hakeem Jeffries for speaker.
"If we are forced to be here this evening, because of the chaos and crisis on the other side, it’s only fair to point out Madam Clerk that the same individuals who fanned the flames of Jan. 6, who told their followers and their followers followers that they needed to fight back and who challenged the swearing-in of members based on a bogus claim of fake electors may well be in charge of the People's House if they can ever agree on who could lead them."
Aguilar's remarks drew dissent from Republicans.
"That's why House Democrats stand united behind Hakeem Jeffries. Hakeem Jeffries is the only candidate in this race for speaker who will defend democracy," Aguilar said.
Voting is now underway.
Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., nominated McCarthy for speaker, prompting sustained applause from the Republican caucus.
"I want to start by thanking the men and women who make this House run," McHenry said. "From the janitorial staff, to the parliamentarians, to the doorkeepers, to the sergeant at arms, to the Capitol Police officers, to the men and women who make this institution run, thank you."
The remarks received a standing ovation from both sides of the aisle.
McHenry went on to address the party's struggles in swiftly electing a speaker, stating, "We know it's messy but open and transparent debate sets us apart from authoritarian regimes."
House Clerk Cheryl Johnson gaveled in the chamber just after 10 p.m.
Members were starting a 14th vote for a speaker. Republican leader McCarthy said he's confident he will have the support tonight to clinch the speaker's gavel.
Fifteen Republican holdouts flipped for McCarthy this afternoon after days of stalemate in the speakership battle. He will need more of his opponents to switch their stances or vote "present" tonight in order to win.
Former President Donald Trump spent the day calling the Republican holdouts, including the remaining six defectors, in hopes of getting them to flip their votes to McCarthy, sources familiar with the calls told ABC News. But Trump's endorsement of McCarthy earlier this week was essentially a non-factor.
