Kevin McCarthy, the former Speaker of the House from California, hasn’t dismissed the possibility of vying for the Speaker role again, especially given the recent unrest in the Middle East highlighting issues within the U.S. Congress.
When questioned by radio host Hugh Hewitt about reclaiming his position, McCarthy remarked, “The conference will decide. As a member, I remain committed to our nation’s strength and its bond with Israel.”
He emphasized unity, stating, “Now’s the time for Congress to unite and speak unanimously.”
Upon further inquiry about re-contesting for the position, he responded, “I’ll follow the conference’s decision.”
McCarthy, who recently led a joint delegation to Israel, was voted out by some members of his party and all House Democrats, marking an unprecedented event in House history. Although McCarthy had previously suggested he wouldn’t run again, the House has been rife with discussions about the extent of interim House Speaker Patrick McHenry’s role.
With a decision pending on the new party leader, a House-wide vote for the speaker could be imminent. However, divisions within the GOP might cause delays.
Amidst this backdrop, there’s an intensified call for assistance to Israel following an unexpected assault by Hamas, resulting in significant Israeli casualties.
Carlos Gimenez, a Republican Representative from Florida and a supporter of McCarthy, commented on the risks of suddenly displacing a congressional leader, pointing out the challenges Congress faces without a clear leader. He expressed relief hearing McCarthy’s willingness to reconsider and added that he felt McCarthy shouldn’t have been ousted in the first place.
Regarding potential replacements for McCarthy, including Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan, Gimenez believes neither would garner the required majority support.
As Scalise and Jordan prepare to present their case, House Republicans plan to hold private meetings in the coming days.
