GOP leader Kevin McCarthy won election as House Speaker early Sat., ending the longest Speaker election in 164 years.

McCarthy's election Sat. capped four days of marathon Speaker votes and intra-party negotiations.

McCarthy won the speakership on the 15th ballot with a plurality of 216 votes; six members voted "present." (DDHQ)

How did the last day of the Speaker election unfold? The House convened Fri. for the 12th vote for House Speaker.

Rep. Matt Gaetz opened Fri. nominating Rep. Jim Jordan for the speakership.

McCarthy managed to flip 12 holdouts on the 12th ballot, including Florida Rep. Byron Donalds.

Seven voted for Jordan for Speaker on the 12th ballot; three voted for Rep. Kevin Hern, including Rep. Matt Rosendale.

McCarthy holdout Rep. Paul Gosar also flipped his vote to McCarthy on the 12th ballot.

McCarthy still fell short of a majority on the 12th ballot, losing by five votes. (DDHQ)

The vote proceeded to a 13th ballot, in which Democrat Hakeem Jeffries and McCarthy were the only nominations.

Rep. Veronica Escobar nominated Jeffries for the post.

McCarthy lost the 13th ballot as well, with six Republicans voting for Jordan.

With McCarthy's 13th loss, House Republicans moved to adjourn the House until 10:00 p.m..

The motion to adjourn passed the House by a 220–212 vote, with no GOP defections.

The House convened Fri. night for the 14th House Speaker vote: Rep. Patrick McHenry opened the evening session.

McHenry nominated McCarthy for the speakership on the 14th ballot: "This is a hallmark of a free society."

McHenry: "It's Kevin's leadership style."

Rep. Pete Aguilar nominated Jeffries on the 14th ballot.

Aguilar: "He is a voice for the people."

Jeffries stood up to vote for himself on the 14th ballot Fri..

McCarthy lost the 14th ballot by one vote after Reps. Matt Gaetz and Lauren Boebert voted "present."

House Speaker election, 14th ballot: 🗳️McCarthy: 216 🗳️Jeffries: 212 🗳️Jordan: 2 🗳️Biggs: 2 🗳️Present: 2

After the 14th vote, McCarthy and GOP floor director John Legasnki confronted Gaetz and Boebert on the House floor.

The floor erupted in chaos after Rep. Mike Rogers lunged at Gaetz and had to be restrained by Rep. Richard Hudson.

What did Rogers say to Gaetz? According to Fox News, he yelled "I won’t forget this!"

Rogers tweeted an apology after the confrontation Sat.: "I regret that I briefly lost my temper on the House Floor..."

Rogers: "[Gaetz] and I have a long and productive working relationship, that I am sure will continue."

Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips opened the 15th vote addressing the confrontation:

Phillips: "Join us and let's end the nonsense!"

McCarthy prevailed on the 15th ballot after the six remaining McCarthy holdouts voted "present."

House Speaker election, 15th ballot: 🗳️McCarthy: 216 🗳️Jeffries: 212 🗳️Present: 6

Pres. Biden congratulated McCarthy after his election Sat.: "I am prepared to work with Republicans when I can."

Biden: "...voters made clear that they expect Republicans to be prepared to work with me as well..."

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries opened the first session of the 118th Congress with remarks before passing the gavel.

Jeffries paid tribute to McCarthy's predecessor, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi:

Jeffries: "We will never compromise our principles."

Jeffries: "Benevolence over bigotry. The Constitution over the cult."

Jeffries: "Democracy over demagogues...Maturity over Mar-a-Lago...Reason over racism."

McCarthy delivered remarks after Jeffries: "I hope one thing is clear after this week: I will never give up."

McCarthy: "I will never give up on keeping our commitment to America."

McCarthy: "It’s time for us to be the check and provide some balance to the President’s policies."

McCarthy: "Our nation is worth fighting for. Our rights are worth fighting for."

McCarthy: "Our dreams are worth fighting for. Our future is worth fighting for."

McCarthy: "As Speaker of the House, my ultimate responsibility is not to my party, my conference, or even our Congress."

McCarthy: "My responsibility — our responsibility — is to our country."

McCarthy: "...my father always told me: It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish."