Centrist Republicans float reinstating McCarthy as speaker following Israel attacks

Some Republicans are considering a move to reinstate Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) as top leader of the House as the chamber finds itself without a speaker during a war involving one of the country’s strongest allies.

Hamas, a Palestinian terrorist group, attacked Israel early Saturday. At least 700 Israelis and 400 Palestinians have been killed after Israel launched a counterattack against Gaza. President Joe Biden and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin have told Israeli leaders that the United States stands behind Israel and will offer additional aid over the coming days.

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However, the absence of a House speaker will significantly limit the chamber’s ability to respond to international crises such as the Hamas attack on Israel. The demand for further aid has led to talks among some centrist Republicans to bring McCarthy back as speaker, according to calls and texts among GOP lawmakers via Politico.

The message sent among members was cohesive: “We need to bring back Kevin, immediately.”

GOP lawmakers worry that the time it will take to have another speakership battle, famously lasting 15 rounds in January when McCarthy was elected, is time they do not have during an international crisis.

“Israel attacks have moderates holding out for the one person who can truly unite us: Kevin McCarthy,” a House GOP lawmaker said.

McCarthy was ousted by the votes of eight Republicans and all House Democrats thanks to a rule change McCarthy agreed to when he was elected speaker. The rule allowed one person, either a Republican or Democrat, to bring a motion to vacate the speaker. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) took advantage of the rule and pushed McCarthy out, setting up Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) for a speakership battle sometime this week.

Reinstating McCarthy would be a difficult task, given the support Jordan and Scalise have received. McCarthy, for his part, is “aware and grateful” for the efforts to reinstate him, but he’s not engaging at this point, the House GOP lawmaker said.

However, some Republicans are optimistic that it could be done, given the severity of the attack in Israel. They believe the urgency surrounding the attacks could pressure the eight House Republicans who voted to oust McCarthy to switch their stance. Many Republicans are still upset with those who voted against McCarthy, who is a vocal supporter of Israel, and are “using this moment to show how wrong they were,” per the House GOP lawmaker.

“A short window is all we need in the House to reinstate Kevin McCarthy and change the rule,” Rep. John Duarte (R-CA) said.

The Israel attacks draw attention to the powers of Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry (R-NC), which are limited by House rules. McHenry “may exercise such authorities of the Office of Speaker as may be necessary and appropriate” toward the appointment of McCarthy’s replacement. Anything else, legal scholars say, is beyond the scope of the role — making it difficult for McHenry to introduce or enact a vote on the House floor related to any policy matters, including discussions on funds or other aid for Israel.

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Eyes will be on the House this week to see how the speaker’s race will unfold and how that will affect aid to Israel. House Republicans plan on meeting behind closed doors on Monday to hash out details and differences of opinion. On Tuesday, there will be a candidate forum to hear the pros and cons of each speaker candidate.

The conference plans to hold a secret vote on Wednesday to see who it wants to nominate for speaker on the floor. The nomination will go to whichever candidate secures a majority of the GOP conference. That figure could be as low as 113, including the three nonvoting GOP delegates to the House. If all 435 House members participate, a successful candidate will need 217 votes to become speaker.