Rep. Kevin McCarthy is the selection of the overwhelming majority of Republican House members to be the chief of the 118th Congress because the social gathering took management of the chamber for the primary time since 2019, however he faces a bumpy highway forward in his race for House speaker, since far-right holdouts have to date prevented him from securing a majority of House members voting.
With the Republicans’ slim majority, McCarthy can solely afford to lose 4 GOP votes – and there are not less than 5 Republicans who’ve stated they’re “hard” no votes in opposition to him.
McCarthy met with the Republicans within the House Freedom Caucus on Monday evening, telling reporters on Tuesday evening that the assembly was “intense,” however he wouldn’t be held hostage by them and he was ready for a battle on the House flooring.
“Well, that’s not about America, and I will always fight to put the American people first, not a few individuals that want something for themselves,” McCarthy stated. “We may have a battle on the floor. But the battle is for the conference and the country, and that’s fine with me.”
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GOP Rep. Andy Biggs has additionally thrown his hat within the ring to be speaker.
Democratic Rep. Pete Aguilar, with a reminder to McCarthy and his fellow Republicans that “House Democrats are united,” nominated his social gathering’s chosen chief, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, to be speaker.
Members can’t take their oaths of workplace till the House has a brand new speaker.
— Melissa Quinn contributed to this report.