EXCLUSIVE: McCarthy’s Speaker Bid Struggles To Combat ‘Unnecessary Chaos’Michael Ginsberg and Henry Rodgers
Contributor
December 09, 2022 8:02 PM ET
Five House Republicans publicly oppose Kevin McCarthy’s speaker bid, and several more have private doubts, imperiling the Californian’s accession to the gavel.
In order to placate the doubters, McCarthy and his allies have commenced a substantial whipping operation, several sources with knowledge of his efforts told the Daily Caller. The Republican leader is prepared to offer the holdouts prized committee seats through the Steering Committee. However, McCarthy has labeled their most substantial demand, a strengthened motion to vacate the chair, a non-starter. Former House Freedom Caucus chairman Andy Biggs of Arizona announced Tuesday that he would also run for the position, underscoring McCarthy’s failure to secure his right flank.
Biggs told the Daily Caller that McCarthy should “step aside” and if he does not there will be “unnecessary chaos” when the vote occurs.
“Kevin McCarthy needs to step aside and allow our conference to move forward without him at the helm. He does not have the votes to become the next House Speaker. Not accepting this fact will stymie Republican efforts to advance legislation and hold the Biden Administration accountable. His reluctance to step down will add unnecessary chaos on Jan. 3,” Biggs said.
Other public “no’s” on McCarthy include Virginia Rep. Bob Good, South Carolina Rep. Ralph Norman, Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, and Montana Rep. Matt Rosendale. One House aide, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal conference dynamics and negotiations, told the Daily Caller that there are likely more “silent no’s” who McCarthy needs to whip.
“Kevin McCarthy had never asked me for my vote,” Gaetz told the Daily Caller.
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https://dailycaller.com/2022/12/09/exclusive-mccarthy-speaker-bid-struggles-combat-unnecessary-chaos/
