Kevin McCarthy braces for long and bruising fight to become House speaker

Republican leader goes into high-stakes vote with opponents reiterating plans to deny him

The House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy braced for a protracted battle to secure the speaker’s gavel on Tuesday, after several members of his caucus doubled down on pledges to oppose his bid.

Following a contentious Republican conference meeting ahead of the speakership vote scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, McCarthy promised that he would fight as long as necessary to win the top House position.