McCarthy threatened by hardliners after shutdown averted
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"Go ahead and Try" he wrote on social media in response to Republicans who call to re-evaluate his position as Speaker.
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Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., confers with Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., right, just after the House approved a 45-day funding bill to keep federal agencies open, but the measure must first go to the Senate, at the Capitol in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy may find his position as speaker in jeopardy as he is facing backlash from party hardliners after he successfully averted a government shutdown by passing a short-term bill with more support from Democrats than his own party.
In a vote held in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, a 45-day stopgap measure was passed with a 335-91 majority just hours before federal agency funding was set to expire.
The Democratic-led Senate also later approved the same bill with bipartisan backing, sending it to President Joe Biden for his signature.
However, following the House's decision, staunch conservative Republicans have begun questioning McCarthy's role as speaker, arguing that his actions align with the interests of the Washington "Uniparty."
Instead of siding with his own party today, Kevin McCarthy sided with 209 Democrats to push through a continuing resolution that maintains the Biden-Pelosi-Schumer spending levels and policies.
— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) September 30, 2023
He allowed the DC Uniparty to win again.
Should he remain Speaker of the House?
McCarthy decided to bring a vote on a measure that could win Democratic support, knowing full well that it could jeopardize his job. One of his advisers told Reuters the speaker believed some hardliners would try to oust him under any circumstances.
"Go ahead and try," McCarthy said in comments directed at his opponents on Saturday. "You know what? If I have to risk my job for standing up for the American public, I will do that."
Read more: US Republicans looking to replace House Speaker McCarthy amid shutdown
The bipartisan measure passed a day after Biggs and 20 other staunch conservatives obstructed a Republican stopgap bill that included significant spending reductions and immigration and border restrictions, all of which align with the preferences of hardliners.
The failure of the Republican bill dashed the party's hopes of advancing a conservative proposal, paving the way for the bipartisan measure, which received support from 209 House Democrats and 126 Republicans. Ninety Republicans voted against the stopgap.
Hardliners voiced their frustration, saying that the continuing resolution (CR) maintained policies favored by Democrats, including those supported by President Biden, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Kevin McCarthy put a CR on the Floor that got 209 Democrat votes, since it kept in place the Biden-Pelosi-Schumer policies that are destroying the country and the spending levels that are bankrupting us. Sadly, it also got 126 Republican votes. Uni-Party rule.
— Congressman Bob Good (@RepBobGood) September 30, 2023
In an agreement struck by McCarthy with hardliners in January, a single lawmaker has the power to initiate his potential removal by proposing a motion to "vacate the chair."
Republican Representative Matt Gaetz, who has openly indicated his willingness to take such action, outlined the requirements for it in the days leading up to the Saturday vote.
"One thing I know. If Kevin McCarthy uses Democrat votes in the House of Representatives to advance Joe Biden's spending priorities, he cannot remain as the Republican speaker," the Florida Republican told the far-right channel Real America's Voice on Wednesday.
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The potential Democratic response to a Republican motion to "vacate the chair" and the subsequent House vote remains uncertain.
Republican Representative Brian Fitzpatrick, co-chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers' Caucus, emphasized that the real issue in any vote on McCarthy's future would be the question of whether to reward or penalize leaders who promote bipartisan solutions.
While some Democrats have suggested they might support McCarthy if an ouster attempt occurred during a turbulent period, others have proposed backing a moderate Republican who would be open to power-sharing within House committees. However, some Democrats have expressed a firm commitment to supporting only House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries for speaker.
In the words of Democratic Representative Jim McGovern, "That's his problem," referring to McCarthy. "I vote for Hakeem Jeffries for speaker."
