McCarthy loses at least 12 GOP votes for House speaker on first round, putting his bid in jeopardy

House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy lost 19 GOP votes in the first round of the House speaker election on Tuesday, putting his bid to lead the chamber in jeopardy. 

Republicans won a slim majority in the House in the 2022 midterm election.

A second round of voting is expected to take place given that no candidate has reached the 218 vote threshold needed to become speaker.