Kevin McCarthy says Republicans 'learned how to govern' and will 'be more effective' after the party's infighting to select a speaker

The California Republican said that the GOP had learned how to govern because of the leadership fight.

While speaking with reporters at the Capitol on Friday evening, McCarthy dismissed the notion that the lengthy balloting process to secure his speakership was a prediction of GOP incompetence.

Getting together and figuring out how we're going to work together is a new experience for us. "I think at the end of the day, we're going to be more efficient and we're going to be more accountable."

Despite a caucus size that will leave little room for error in the next two years, McCarthy said that the experience had been helpful to the party.

He said this was the great part. Now we know how to govern after this long time. We'll be able to complete the job now.

—Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) January 6, 2023

McCarthy was going to take the gavel on Tuesday.

When President Joe Biden is expected to seek reelection and former President Donald Trump may once again be the GOP presidential nominee, the first few roll call votes shined a light on the differences within the party.

McCarthy won the speakership over Hakeem Jeffries of New York after 15 votes and a vote of no confidence.