After 15 rounds of voting for more than three days, the U.S. House of Representatives selected Rep. Kevin McCarthy as speaker shortly after midnight Saturday, Jan. 7.
In response to the election, Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), who represents Homewood and Flossmoor, issued the following statement:
“The American people deserve better. The time that the House wasted on petty politics could have been spent delivering for our constituents. Despite the dysfunction that the American people witnessed in the House of Representatives, my Democratic colleagues and I are united in our commitment to making our economy work for everyone, lowering the cost of health care, and making every community safe.
“I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure that families in the 2nd District of Illinois continue to thrive. I will take advantage of every opportunity I have to work in a bipartisan manner to achieve progress, particularly to fight the maternal mortality crisis and end the epidemic of gun violence.
“Despite our numerous challenges, I am optimistic about the possibility to create meaningful and lasting solutions for working families. My office door is always open for all my constituents. I am proud to continue to serve the Second District of Illinois.”