Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said Monday that he is willing to resume serving as House speaker if enough of the Republicans who voted in favor of his ouster last week are open to his reinstatement.
Kevin McCarthy says he’s willing to return as House speaker – The Washington Post
October 9, 2023
McCarthy made the comment as the House Republican conference prepared to meet for the first time since Tuesday, when eight Republicans joined all Democrats present in voting for McCarthy’s removal. At that point, McCarthy said he would not run for a leadership role again.
At a news conference after his removal, McCarthy stated plainly: “I will not run for speaker again. I’ll have the conference pick somebody else.”
Many of the Republicans were upset with McCarthy for making a government funding deal with Democrats, tipping the scale to remove him from office.
Two other Republicans, Majority Leader Steve Scalise (La.) and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (Ohio), have launched bids to succeed McCarthy. It’s unclear whether either will be able to secure the votes needed to become speaker.
Asked by Hewitt if he would put himself forward to break a deadlock, McCarthy said: “Look, the conference has to make that decision.”
Without a full-time speaker, the House has been limited in its ability to operate. The violence that has erupted between Hamas and Israel over the weekend has underscored the limitations, as some members press for an aid package to Israel.
In his interview with Hewitt, McCarthy repeatedly emphasized Congress’s need to project strength and solidarity with Israel in the midst of the conflict. He also pointed out current matters he believes would have been handled differently had he remained in leadership.
“We would have gotten more of the intel,” McCarthy said, referencing the conflict. Under his watch, the former speaker asserted, the House on Monday would have put forth a resolution “to show the world we’re united, calling around to other world leaders to come to join.”
Furthermore, McCarthy said, under his leadership, the House would be looking at what ammunition and resources should be provided to Israel, evaluating sanctions against Iran and “going after any antisemitism that is happening not just on our college campuses, but directly in Congress itself as well.”
House Republicans plan to gather Monday night in a closed meeting to discuss where the conference goes next after McCarthy’s ouster as speaker. A candidate forum is scheduled Tuesday, followed by voting among House Republicans on Wednesday.
It’s unclear when the full House might vote on a new speaker.
Mariana Alfaro contributed to this report.
Source: News
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