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It’s official: the 118th Congress has begun and all members have been sworn in. However, the process of electing the Speaker of the House was not without its challenges. After multiple ballots, Kevin McCarthy was finally elected to the position.

So, what caused the delay in McCarthy’s election? A group of 20 Republicans refused to vote for him, as they believed he was more loyal to lobbyists in Washington D.C. than to the Republican base. In order to secure their votes, McCarthy made a number of concessions.

One of the most significant concessions was the inclusion of three members of the Freedom Caucus on the powerful House Rules Committee. This committee holds a lot of sway, as all bills must go through it before being brought to the floor. By including members of the Freedom Caucus, McCarthy ensured that no bill would be brought to the floor without their support. This marks the first time in 60 years that the committee will be independent of House leadership.

In addition to this, McCarthy also agreed to the creation of a church committee to investigate the FBI’s weaponization against the American people. This committee was originally formed in 1975 to investigate abuses by the deep state.

Other concessions made by McCarthy include term limits, 72-hour reading periods for single subject bills, no more 7 trillion omnibus bills, a plan to secure the border, a commitment to balance the budget, and the elimination of all funding for COVID mandates. He also agreed to a motion to vacate the Chair, which allows a member of Congress to call for a vote to remove the speaker at any time.

It’s clear that the actions of the 20 Republicans who held up McCarthy’s vote were not just for show. Their bravery and determination has resulted in significant changes to the way the House operates. Thanks to their efforts, the House Republican majority now has the opportunity to push back against the swamp.