Current:Home > StocksKevin McCarthy won't run for speaker again -RiskWatch
Kevin McCarthy won't run for speaker again
View
Date:2025-04-17 10:24:30
Washington — Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said Tuesday he would not run for the leadership position again after he was ousted from the role Tuesday.
"I may have lost the vote today, but as I walk out of this chamber I feel fortunate to have served the American people," McCarthy told reporters. "I leave the speakership with a sense of pride, accomplishment and, yes, optimism."
House Republicans met Tuesday night to discuss the next steps. It's unclear who has enough support to win the gavel.
Rep. Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, who was appointed speaker pro tempore, told lawmakers in the meeting that a candidate forum is expected Oct. 10, and a potential vote would be Oct. 11, according to Rep. Bob Good of Virginia.
In an unprecedented vote removing the speaker, eight Republicans voted with all Democrats to dismiss the California Republican after he had expressed confidence for days that he would remain in the job. The no-confidence vote was brought by Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida following McCarthy's reliance on Democrats to pass funding to avert a government shutdown.
"My fear is the institution fell today, because you can't do the job if eight people," McCarthy said of the eight detractors. "You have 94% or 96% of your entire conference, but eight people can partner with the whole other side. How do you govern?"
Gaetz consistently opposed McCarthy's speakership, and was among those who helped draw out the process of electing him speaker to a record 15 rounds of voting. In order to win over far-right Republicans, McCarthy agreed to a condition making it possible for a single member to motion to oust the speaker. That deal has come back to haunt him.
"You know it was personal. It had nothing to do about spending...Everything he accused somebody of, he was doing. It all was about getting attention from you," McCarthy told reporters of Gaetz's motivations. "I mean, we're getting email fundraisers from him as he's doing it — 'Join in quickly.' That's not governing. That's not becoming of a member of Congress."
McCarthy said his advice to the next speaker is to "change the rules."
"I do not think, regardless of who the speaker is, that you should have that rule," McCarthy said.
McCarthy recalled that he gave in on the threshold at the advice of Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California, who was speaker before him.
"I told her I was having issues getting enough votes," McCarthy said. "...She said, 'Just give it to them. I'll always back you up.'"
After McCarthy was ousted, Gaetz told reporters that he would require the future speaker to keep the one-person threshold to bring a motion to vacate.
He floated House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana to be the next speaker, telling reporters he would make a "phenomenal speaker."
"The best way to advance the conservative agenda is to move forward with a new speaker," he said.
On potential McCarthy replacements, Rep. Austin Scott of Georgia said, "I don't know who would want the job, to be honest with you."
McCarthy also gave notice to his eight detractors that he might support primary challengers, noting that he declined to get involved in primaries when he was speaker.
"I told the conference I'm a free agent now," he said. "I think I'm pretty good at electing people."
— Jack Turman contributed reporting.
- In:
- Kevin McCarthy
Caitlin Yilek is a politics reporter for CBS News Digital. Reach her at caitlin.yilek@cbsinteractive.com. Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/hausofcait
TwitterveryGood! (1123)
Related
- Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
- Rogue ATV, dirt bikers terrorize communities, vex police across US
- Amazon’s Top 100 Holiday Gifts Include Ariana Grande’s Perfume, Apple AirTags, and More Trending Products
- Sylvester Stallone returns to Philadelphia for inaugural 'Rocky Day': 'Keep punching!'
- 'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
- Taylor Swift makes fifth NFL appearance to support Travis Kelce
- Harris dashed to Dubai to tackle climate change and war. Each carries high political risks at home
- 4 arrested in honor killing of 18-year-old Pakistani woman after doctored photo with her boyfriend goes viral
- At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
- 'Tis the season for holiday cards. Tips on writing a heartfelt note, what else to know
Ranking
- Why we love Bear Pond Books, a ski town bookstore with a French bulldog 'Staff Pup'
- White House warns Congress the US is out of money, nearly out of time to avoid ‘kneecap’ to Ukraine
- Italian city of Bologna braces for collapse of leaning Garisenda Tower
- CFP committee makes safe call in choosing Alabama over FSU. And it's the right call.
- What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
- Ohio State QB Kyle McCord enters NCAA transfer portal
- Opening statements begin in Jonathan Majors assault trial in New York
- Could 2024 election cause society to collapse? Some preppers think so — and they're ready.
Recommendation
Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
Billie Eilish Confirms She Came Out in Interview and Says She Didn't Realize People Didn't Know
Horoscopes Today, December 2, 2023
Magnitude 5.1 earthquake shakes northwest Turkey. No damage or injuries reported
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
'Madman' fatally stabs 4 family members, injures 2 officers in Queens, New York
Florence Pugh Is Hit in the Face by a Thrown Object at Dune: Part Two Event
Pakistan arrests 17 suspects in connection to the weekend bus shooting that killed 10