Some House Republicans feared McCarthy’s presidency would continue ‘past and ongoing Republican failures’

Future House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is still sparring with some in his party who fear his election to the presidency will be a “continuation of past and ongoing Republican failures.”

Last week, the California Republican proposed a rule change in Congress that would make it easier to impeach a Speaker of the House in exchange for their ascension to office, a key demand from powerful GOP opponents.

Under the current rules, which were imposed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, only a member of the House leadership can move a vacancy motion, while the new proposal would allow any member of the House to move. force a vote to remove the president, at any time.

KEVIN MCCARTHY FLOATS CONCESSION TO ALLOW CONSERVATIVES TO REMOVE SPEAKER FROM HOUSE

On Sunday afternoon, McCarthy met with members of the GOP to try to rally support for his vote for president on Jan. 3, when the new Congress takes office. The beleaguered Republican leader conceded that rank-and-file members will be allowed to request the speaker’s withdrawal, although it was unclear how many members would have to sign the motion, according to reports.

The meeting came after his New Year’s Eve letter, titled “Restore the People’s House and End Business as Usual”, which was his admission of the deep dysfunction of the House of Representatives and his argument for fixing it.

In response to McCarthy’s letter, GOP Representatives Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, Paul Gosar of Arizona, Chip Roy of Texas, Dan Bishop of North Carolina, Andy Harris of Maryland, and Andrew Clyde of Georgia, as well as Rep. elected Andy Ogles of Tennessee, Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, and Eli Crane of Arizona sent their own letters.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.
(Reuters/Jonathan Ernst)

“Unfortunately, despite some progress, Mr. McCarthy’s statement comes almost incredibly late to address lingering shortcomings before the opening of the 118th Congress on January 3,” the letter said. “In this state, it is not surprising that the vague expressions of hope reflected in too many crucial points still under debate are insufficient. This is particularly true with regard to Mr. McCarthy’s candidacy for the presidency. , because the times call for a radical departure from the status quo – not a continuation of past and ongoing Republican failures.”

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The letter goes on to say that McCarthy’s 14-year tenure in senior House leadership places the burden of House dysfunction on him, something he now admits.

Rep. Andy Biggs announced in early December that he would run against McCarthy for president.

“We cannot pass up this all-too-rare opportunity to effect structural change because it is uncomfortable to challenge the Republican candidate who is a creature of the establishment status quo, or because with the challenge comes minimal risk,” Biggs wrote in an Op-Ed for the Daily Caller at the time.

Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Arizona, said he would not support Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and would run against him for Speaker of the House.
(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Biggs and four other Republicans have pledged to vote against McCarthy, which could be problematic with the party’s slim majority — 218 votes are needed to clinch the president’s seat.

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Biggs’ candidacy is widely seen as an opportunity to show that McCarthy cannot get the 218 votes required to be president. McCarthy’s opponents say that once this reality becomes clear, other alternatives will intensify.

Republicans in the incoming House have a majority with 222 seats, and McCarthy needs 218 votes to clinch the presidency. With five oppositions, he theoretically only needs one vote out of those five to get that spot.

But those votes could soar.

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“Mr. McCarthy’s statement also continues to propose restricting the availability of the traditional motion to leave the chair as a means of holding leadership accountable to its promises; we have made it clear from the start that we will not agree to follow the ‘example of Nancy Pelosi in isolating leadership in this way,’ the nine House GOP members said in their letter on Sunday. open. The progress made so far has been helpful and should guide our thinking going forward.”