EXCLUSIVE: McCarthy’s Speaker Bid Struggles To Combat ‘Unnecessary Chaos’
GOP Leadership Hold Press Conference On Biden's First Year
(Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
MICHAEL GINSBERG AND HENRY RODGERS
CONTRIBUTOR
December 09, 2022
8:02 PM ET
https://dailycaller.com/2022/12/09/exclusive-mccarthy-speaker-bid-struggles-combat-unnecessary-chaos/
Five House Republicans publicly oppose Kevin McCarthy’s speaker bid, and several more have private doubts, imperiling the Californian’s accession to the gavel.
In order to placate the doubters, McCarthy and his allies have commenced a substantial whipping operation, several sources with knowledge of his efforts told the Daily Caller. The Republican leader is prepared to offer the holdouts prized committee seats through the Steering Committee. However, McCarthy has labeled their most substantial demand, a strengthened motion to vacate the chair, a non-starter. Former House Freedom Caucus chairman Andy Biggs of Arizona announced Tuesday that he would also run for the position, underscoring McCarthy’s failure to secure his right flank.
Biggs told the Daily Caller that McCarthy should “step aside” and if he does not there will be “unnecessary chaos” when the vote occurs.
“Kevin McCarthy needs to step aside and allow our conference to move forward without him at the helm. He does not have the votes to become the next House Speaker. Not accepting this fact will stymie Republican efforts to advance legislation and hold the Biden Administration accountable. His reluctance to step down will add unnecessary chaos on Jan. 3,” Biggs said.
Other public “no’s” on McCarthy include Virginia Rep. Bob Good, South Carolina Rep. Ralph Norman, Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, and Montana Rep. Matt Rosendale. One House aide, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal conference dynamics and negotiations, told the Daily Caller that there are likely more “silent no’s” who McCarthy needs to whip.
“Kevin McCarthy had never asked me for my vote,” Gaetz told the Daily Caller.
Reps. Michael Cloud of Texas and Ken Buck of Colorado both told the Daily Caller that they have not committed to vote for or against McCarthy.
“Congress is broken. We need fundamental change in order to become a body that can represent the people over entrenched interest — and put our nation back on a path toward security and strength. I’m willing to vote for anyone who will present a clear vision and plan to accomplish this,” Cloud said.
“I’m waiting to see how Kevin outlines his agenda,” Buck added. “I think that it’s really important that we get spending under control. We have $31 trillion in debt. Republicans should lead on that issue and we need a leader who is willing to stand up to the Biden administration and the excessive spending that we’ve had for the last three or four years.”
McCarthy hopes that House Freedom Caucus (HFC) chairman Scott Perry of Pennsylvania will support his bid, and other members of HFC will follow, another House aide, also speaking on the condition of anonymity, told the Daily Caller. The Republican Steering Committee’s assignment of committee memberships for the 118th Congress will be another key way for McCarthy to shore up support, the aide added. Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a McCarthy supporter, is likely to be appointed to the Oversight and Government Reform Committee.