Kevin McCarthy mocked by Democrat on House floor as GOP leader fights for top Republican job
Juliegrace Brufke
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House Rules Committee Chairman Jim McGovern (D-MA) mocked House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) on the House floor following the California Republican’s fiery floor speech slamming the omnibus spending bill, joking that it is evident that he has not locked up the votes to become the next speaker.
McCarthy spoke for roughly 25 minutes, railing against the $1.7 trillion spending legislation, alleging that it is a “slap in the face” to voters.
‘SLAP IN THE FACE’: KEVIN MCCARTHY HAMMERS OMNIBUS BILL AHEAD OF HOUSE VOTE
Following McCarthy’s “magic minute” remarks, McGovern zinged the California Republican, stating, “After listening to that, it’s clear he doesn’t have the votes yet.”
McCarthy has been facing heavy pressure from conservatives, including many who have not committed to supporting him during the Jan. 3 floor vote for speaker, to do everything in his power to tank the omnibus, with critics arguing that Congress should have passed a stop-gap measure to keep the government funded into the new year to provide them move leverage in negotiations as the GOP prepares to take back control of the House.
Some McCarthy critics argued in the days leading up to the vote that he did not do enough to try and tank the bill, with multiple members calling for him to threaten Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) with the possibility of the lower chamber opting not to bring bipartisan Senate-passed legislation to the floor in the new Congress. McCarthy, who in October indicated to Punchbowl News that he didn’t want “a government funding fight” upon taking control of the House, changed his tune on his position, repeatedly railing against the measure during television appearances and on social media.
Facing a razor-thin majority, McCarthy can only have four defectors vote against him on Jan. 3 unless his critics opt to vote present or not partake in the vote to bring down the threshold.
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While five conservatives have voiced that they do not plan to back him and a handful more have voiced calls for significant reforms to the House rules, McCarthy has continued to express confidence that he will ultimately prevail despite facing obstacles.
Two Democratic sources said that they do not expect members of the party to help McCarthy lower the threshold to ease his path toward obtaining the gavel.