Republicans Nominate Kevin McCarthy for House Leadership
Having secured 188 votes in a closed-door vote on Tuesday, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has won the GOP nomination to be the speaker of the new House of Representatives.
Facts
- Having secured 188 votes in a closed-door vote on Tuesday, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has won the GOP nomination to be the speaker of the new House of Representatives.
- McCarthy, who is currently House Minority Leader, beat Arizona Rep. and member of the House Freedom Caucus Andy Biggs, who won 31 votes. McCarthy now faces the task of securing at least 218 Republican votes during a public vote on the House floor on Jan. 3.
- McCarthy officially launched his campaign for House Speaker last week, claiming that he would be a "listener" and that he would "build consensus from the bottom-up." McCarthy has also promised if elected to reopen the US Capitol building and to end "proxy voting" approved by Democrats during the COVID pandemic.
- The Republican Party is currently projected to hold between 218-228 seats in the House, with the latter number indicating a sweep of all remaining races. This final total will heavily influence McCarthy's chances of winning the vote in January.
- Other roles in the House GOP leadership were also decided, with Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise winning unopposed to serve as the House majority leader, as well as Minnesota Rep. Tom Emmer defeating Indiana Rep. Jim Banks and Georgia Rep. Drew Ferguson to be the House majority whip.
Sources: BBC News, NPR Online News, CBS, FOX News, and CNN.
Narratives
- Republican narrative, as provided by The Washington Examiner. McCarthy's path to the role of House Speaker has been complicated thanks to the anticipated red wave failing to materialize during the midterms. With Republicans expected to hold a razor-thin majority in the House, a still-confident McCarthy must walk a tightrope in gaining support from multiple factions if he is to win the final vote in January.
- Democratic narrative, as provided by USA Today. McCarthy has been a continual Trump supporter and apologist. As such, he's been dangerous to democracy itself. Republicans should listen to the will of the American people following the midterms, and find better leadership.
