Ousted Speaker Kevin McCarthy Leaving Congress By Year’s End
Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) announced Wednesday that he is leaving the lower chamber by the end of the year. This came just two months after he became the first Speaker to be ousted by his party.
Unhappiness over promises perceived to be unfulfilled led to a revolt among Republican ranks. His opponents were joined by a solid wall of Democrats, which led to his ejection from House leadership.
His departure will reduce the razor-thin GOP majority in the House even further. Former New York Rep. George Santos was expelled this week over several ethical concerns, and McCarthy’s announcement applies yet more pressure on the majority party.
Writing in the Wall Street Journal, McCarthy defended his record. “No matter the odds, or personal cost, we did the right thing. It is in this spirit that I have decided to depart the House at the end of this year to serve America in new ways.”
Days earlier, McCarthy told the New York Times that “it’s a gut call. I want to know that it’s the right thing to do.”
The California Republican rose to political prominence from his origins as a deli counter owner in Bakersfield. He climbed the ladder through state and then into national politics in 2007 to hold the second position from the presidency.
But his rise to Speaker foreshadowed the tumultuous relations he would have with some members of his own party.
McCarthy underwent 15 votes before becoming the Republican choice in January to lead the House. His tenure only lasted until October, when his support for a spending measure to avoid a government shutdown angered fiscal conservatives.
The $1.59 trillion spending limit for fiscal year 2024 was too much for some GOP members to take.
Led by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), they argued that McCarthy reneged on promises made to secure the Speaker’s gavel earlier in the year. After days of wrangling, his replacement was Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA).
Among his accomplishments were the launching of an impeachment inquiry into President Biden and an investigation into numerous allegations against first son Hunter Biden.
Good news for national Republicans is that McCarthy won reelection in his California district last year by 35 points. It is not seen as competitive and will almost certainly remain in GOP hands.
