Buyer beware: House Republicans hint at early headaches for McCarthy speakership
Ryan King
Video Embed
A prominent McCarthy loyalist is foreshadowing early headaches for the aspiring speaker, publicly opposing the House rules package negotiated ahead of the 10 p.m. vote Friday.
Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX), who has stood by Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) throughout the long-winded speakership row, balked at the package, which has been paramount to McCarthy’s efforts to court Republican holdouts.
‘WE’LL HAVE THE VOTES’: KEVIN MCCARTHY SAYS HE WILL BE ELECTED SPEAKER TONIGHT
“I am a NO on the house rules package. Welcome to the 118th Congress,” Gonzales tweeted.
https://twitter.com/TonyGonzales4TX/status/1611524269602918400
He did not immediately elaborate on why he is opposed to the deal. McCarthy has made a number of concessions to Republican rebels, such as restoring the motion to vacate and other changes to House rules. Should McCarthy secure the speaker’s gavel Friday evening, Congress is expected to vote on the rules package shortly thereafter.
Gonzales had publicly repudiated Republican defectors, chiding that they “thumbed their nose” at former President Donald Trump’s endorsement of McCarthy.
Still, despite Gonzales’s public concerns, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), who is regarded as one of the most bipartisan members of the lower chamber, has reportedly backed the reform package and expressed confidence it will pass.
https://twitter.com/JakeSherman/status/1611531663036616704?s=20&t=d8KEEy2VQ87tc1dUkUPw5A
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
During the most recent round of voting, McCarthy managed to peel off 14 of the 20 Republican holdouts, locking down 213-211 votes in favor with three absences and six Republicans opposed. He can only afford to lose four Republicans.
In spite of his prior losses, McCarthy was confident about his prospects, telling reporters, “When we come back tonight, we’ll have the votes to get this done once and for all,” ahead of the 10 p.m. vote, which is the 14th round. Congressional business has been put in limbo amid the standstill, as the members have not yet been sworn in. McCarthy has already moved into the speaker’s office.
This has been the longest speaker election since 1859, with the previous race lasting more than one round taking place in 1923. Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) and Rep.-elect Wesley Hunt (R-TX), who were absent earlier in the day, are reportedly expected to return to the 10 p.m. vote. If all members of Congress are present, McCarthy will need 218 votes to claim the gavel.