McCarthy calls speakership battle ’embarrassing’ as House remains without leader
October 22, 2023 11:00 AM
Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) believes Republicans‘ inability to secure a new speaker after he was ousted more than two weeks ago is not a good look for the party.
“It’s embarrassing,” McCarthy said in a Sunday interview on NBC News’s Meet the Press. “Eight Republicans led by [Matt] Gaetz have created this chaos by joining every single Democrat in voting to shut down one branch of government.”
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“It’s embarrassing for the Republican Party, it’s embarrassing for the nation. And we need to look at one another and solve the problem,” the former speaker added.
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“This is embarrassing for the Republican Party. It’s embarrassing for the nation.” pic.twitter.com/LCQUOmC0WD
— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) October 22, 2023
McCarthy was ousted on Oct. 3 following a motion to vacate led by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL). Since then, House Republicans have named Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) as their first and second nominees. Both House GOP leaders failed to receive the 217 votes needed to become speaker, so the conference is now looking at about seven candidates to take up the mantle.
The California Republican is supporting Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN), who officially announced his candidacy for speaker on Saturday morning.
“This is not a moment in time to play around with learning on the job. We need someone who understands how to do this job,” McCarthy said. “I believe Tom Emmer, our whip — he’s been in the room with all of our successes… He knows how to do the job across the street, at the same time helping us win the majority.”
“He sets himself head and shoulders above all those others who want to run,” McCarthy added.
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McCarthy said he didn’t “need the title” when asked if he ruled out running for speaker again, as Emmer faces an uphill battle to get the votes similar to Scalise and Jordan.
“I’m supporting Tom Emmer, but I’m going to tell you — I’m still a member of Congress, and I’m going to lead in any capacity I can help to protect America,” McCarthy said.