Republican leader Kevin McCarthy failed in marathon voting Tuesday to become House speaker, a historic defeat with no clear way out as House Republicans dug in for a long, messy start for the new Congress. Needing 218 votes in the full House, McCarthy got just 203 in two rounds — less even than Democrat Hakeem Jeffries in the GOP-controlled chamber. A third ballot quickly commenced as night fell on the new House GOP majority, tensions rising as all other business came to a halt. Then, various media outlets said, he also lost Round 3. Having lost 19 GOP votes in the first two rounds, this time he lost 20, putting the top spot even further out of reach. (He could afford to lose only 5.) At least one earlier supporter, Rep. Byron Donalds, had reportedly switched to support for Rep. Jim Jordan.