McCarthy: Gaetz said 'I don't care' if Jeffries wins Speakership instead of me
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) criticized Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) on Tuesday after he reportedly told House GOP members that he doesn’t care if the chamber elects Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.), the incoming Democratic leader, as Speaker instead of McCarthy. McCarthy told reporters that Gaetz, who is one of at least a handful of hard-line conservative members attempting to block him from becoming Speaker, said that “I don’t care” if Jeffries were to win the gavel via a plurality of votes in order to deny the California Republican the top spot. The remarks
Read MoreDefiant McCarthy vows to fight to the end
A defiant Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) vowed Tuesday to fight as long as it takes to win the Speaker’s gavel in the new Congress, challenging his Republican detractors with threats of a marathon process that would undermine Republicans politically just as they’re taking control of the lower chamber. In a 90-minute closed-door meeting in the Capitol basement, McCarthy gave an impassioned speech to the House GOP Conference, making the case that he’s earned the right to replace outgoing Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). “Kevin was about as fired [up] as I've ev
Read MoreMcCarthy battles opponents in closed-door GOP meeting ahead of Speaker's vote
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Read MoreThe Republicans voting against McCarthy
As House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s (R-Calif.) bid for Speaker hangs in the balance, several far-right members of his own party have indicated that they plan to oppose him in Tuesday’s vote. The five “Never Kevin” Republicans — Reps. Andy Biggs (Ariz.), Matt Gaetz (Fla.), Ralph Norman (S.C.), Matt Rosendale (Mont.) and Bob Good (Va.) — have pledged to vote as a bloc on Tuesday, and they all appear likely to remain firmly anti-McCarthy. The group has the potential to derail McCarthy’s Speaker vote, as the House minority leader can afford to lose only four GOP
Read MoreThe Hill's Morning Report — Will McCarthy get the votes to become Speaker?
Editor’s note: The Hill’s Morning Report is our daily newsletter that dives deep into Washington’s agenda. To subscribe, click here or fill out the box below. It’s the moment of truth for Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) as the House votes on Tuesday for a Speaker, revealing whether he has the confidence of his conference to lead a new House GOP majority. It remains unclear how the vote will play out,
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