‘Never Kevin’ Republicans dig heels in after GOP conference meeting
Samantha-Jo Roth
A group of House Republicans who have been opposed to GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy’s (R-CA) bid to become the next House speaker say they haven’t changed their minds after a heated GOP caucus meeting Tuesday morning.
Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) said “as it stands,” she would not vote for McCarthy to be the next speaker, adding to five other “no” votes and nine who signed a letter saying they are unsatisfied with McCarthy’s concessions. This comes less than an hour before the speaker vote.
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Boebert said there are “more than” 221 alternatives to Kevin McCarthy.
“So now, here we are being sworn at instead of being sworn in. We could have had this solved months ago. I have been working every day to unify the Republican Party for the American people. Yesterday, we had a deal that was not a selfish deal in any way to get Kevin McCarthy the gavel on the first ballot, and he eagerly dismissed us,” Boebert said to reporters on Capitol Hill.
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Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) said everything he heard in the GOP meeting “hardened his resolve” against McCarthy and that Congress needs new leadership.
“If it’s a few of us who have to stand in the breach to force it, we are willing to do so for as long as it takes,” Gaetz said.
At the vote later Tuesday, McCarthy needs the support of a majority of members voting and present in order to become speaker.