Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) lost an 11th straight vote late Thursday in his bid to become the new speaker of the House of Representatives, but his team's intensive back-room bargaining appeared to be closing in on a deal with many of the populist conservatives who are demanding new leadership in Congress.

As occurred in the 10 previous counts, beginning on Jan. 3, Democratic leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York received the votes of all 212 members of his party.

Also in the 11th ballot, McCarthy received 200 Republican votes, while Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida got 12 and Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.) had seven. Former President Donald Trump was chosen by one, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.). To become speaker of the House, the winner must receive 218 votes or a majority of the members voting.

Shortly after the counting of the 11th ballot was completed, the House adjourned until noon on Friday. The adjournment vote was a straight party win for the Republicans, 219–213, with one GOPer joining the Democrats and two not voting.

The issue then for McCarthy and the Republican majority elected by voters in the November 2022 midterm election when the House reconvenes will be whether enough of the 20 populist conservative dissidents who have opposed the California Republican on every vote will have signed off on the agreement negotiated behind closed doors in talks that began unofficially Tuesday evening, but then got serious late in the day Wednesday.