Mid-Hudson News [dot] com reports that after four days of acrimony, arm-twisting, and 15 different ballots, the new Republican majority in the 118th Congress finally saw California Republican Kevin McCarthy sworn in as Speaker of the House very early on January 7. The 15 different ballots required were the most in 164 years. The resistance to McCarthy’s elevation came from 20 hard-right election deniers and loyalists of former President Donald Trump, and almost ended with fisticuffs in the House chamber. After lengthy negotiations, McCarthy won a majority over. All other business was halted until the Speaker was elected, including the administering of the oath of office to each of the members. Newly-elected Marc Molinaro, a Duchess County Republican who represents the new 19th Congressional District, did not take his oath until early Jan. 7. He then returned to New York to speak at a ceremony for state Senator Rob Rolison. Molinaro said the first four days in Washington did not go as he had planned but he characterized the process as healthy. Molinaro said, “Despite the time it took, don’t mistake it for wasted time,” noting “There are ideological differences within the majority but they were confronted very early.” He said that Congress can now get on with the work they were sent to do. “Americans want us to work on driving down costs, protecting and securing communities, the safety and security at our borders, energy independence, and education.” Molinaro said, “This is what democracy sometimes looks like and the differences of opinions were aired out in full view of the public,” adding “The American people delivered a divided government and that means we’re always going to have our differences and sometimes that means we’re going to air them out in public — rightfully so.” Read the full story at MidHudsonNews [dot] com.