Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has expressed confidence that Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) can succeed him to become the new House speaker.
“I think Jim Jordan can get there,” Mr. McCarthy told Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures.” “I’m one who understands how difficult it is. I did walk in with more support during this time, but I believe at the end of day, Jim can get there.”
“I’m doing everything I can to help him be able to become speaker.”
Mr. McCarthy was removed as House speaker on Oct. 3 after a 216–210 vote, with eight Republicans joining all Democrats who were present voting to remove him from the post. The vote to oust the California congressman was initiated by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), a member of a hardline conservative GOP faction.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) defeated Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, in a two-person race for the speakership. However, after winning the Republican nomination, Mr. Scalise withdrew his candidacy after failing to secure enough support.
On Friday, Mr. Jordan defeated Rep. Austin Scott (R-Ga.) by a 124–81 vote to become the Republican Party’s new nominee for speaker. A vote for the new speaker is scheduled for noon on Oct. 17.
When asked if Mr. Jordan had secured enough votes to win the gavel, Mr. McCarthy said his colleague hadn’t but added that he was working to get the support needed.
“I talked to Jim last night. He’s talking to every single member, assessing what their challenges are. But we have got to be able to work together,” Mr. McCarthy said. “The real challenge here is, eight Republicans did something no one would [have] thought, that they worked with every single Democrat to disrupt this nation, to remove me as speaker.”
He added: “So it has taught people now that, why don’t you just go work with Democrats and disrupt government? This will go down in history as one of the biggest mistakes these eight have made in the process.”
By Frank Fang
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