
Republican lawmakers in the House of Representatives have once again chosen Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) as Speaker of the House, nominating the California congressman on Tuesday over his challenger, Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ).
BREAKING: Kevin McCarthy has been elected the Republican nominee for Speaker of the House
— Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) November 15, 2022
McCarthy will become the 53rd Speaker of the House as long as the GOP leader can convince those who voted against him to support him by the time the official vote takes place in early January. The California congressman received 188 votes, while Biggs — who is a former chairman of the Freedom Caucus — received 31 votes.
There was reportedly lots of cheering in support of McCarthy following the vote.
Leadership vote is 188 to 31 in favor of Kevin McCarthy, who received a standing ovation.
— Kadia Goba (@kadiagoba) November 15, 2022
Alongside other House Republicans, McCarthy campaigned to take back the majority in Congress using the Commitment to America agenda — which was a legislative agenda designed to alleviate numerous crises unfolding under the leadership of President Joe Biden, as well as a plan to increase oversight over the administration.
Many conservative House lawmakers, including members of the Freedom Caucus, have demanded rule changes as a condition for supporting McCarthy for Speaker of the House.
Breitbart News reported that these rules would include enacting “a ‘majority of the majority’ rule that would ensure that House Republicans should only put a bill on the floor if it is supported by a majority of House Republicans.”
Another rule would be to “diversify the Steering Committee so that all House Republicans can have input on committee assignments,” according to the outlet.
McCarthy has already spoken about his plans for legislative action after Republicans take back the House, revealing that the GOP would pass a bill to repeal the portion of the Inflation Reduction Act which hires an additional 87,000 IRS agents. The California congressman also stated that he would eliminate the practice of proxy voting.
Those who opposed McCarthy’s leadership noted that the vote on Tuesday did not secure his position as speaker, and was only a nomination for the position, not the official vote.
McCarthy won NOMINATION for Speaker.
He did not win the Speakership.
He needs to win over about 30 people who voted against him to actually get the Speakership in January.
— Lavern Spicer 🇺🇸 (@lavern_spicer) November 15, 2022
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) is openly calling out McCarthy, saying that he cannot be trusted in the key leadership position.
We cannot trust Kevin McCarthy to be Speaker of the House. pic.twitter.com/GbaLlzOL8R
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) November 14, 2022
In a tweet, the Florida Republican listed several concerning issues with McCarthy’s previous actions that he believes make him unfit to lead the GOP in the House.
Gaetz cited McCarthy’s defense of disgraced Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY), who recently lost her primary to America-First candidate Harriet Hageman by roughly 37 points, and the fact that McCarthy “told GOP leadership Trump should resign” after the January 6 Capitol riot.
“Kevin is FLIGHT over FIGHT when the chips are down[.] He is not a Speaker for these times,” Gaetz added.
Kevin McCarthy:
Defended Liz Cheney when @jdanbishop first sought her ouster
Told GOP Leadership Trump should resign after J6
Kevin is FLIGHT over FIGHT when the chips are down
He is not a Speaker for these times
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) November 11, 2022