Here Are All The Republicans Opposing McCarthy’s Bid For House Speaker — And What It Means For The Next Congress

Topline

Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) said he will not vote for Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) as speaker of the House, making him at least the fifth member to indicate opposition to McCarthy’s speakership bid, Politico reported, as the House prepares to select its next leader on January 3 when the new Republican majority takes office.

Key Facts

Norman said Tuesday he was a “hard” no when it comes to voting for McCarthy, joining other House Freedom Caucus members who have come out against McCarthy as the right-wing faction seeks to negotiate demands in exchange for votes.

Norman reportedly said he decided not to vote for McCarthy this week after McCarthy said he disagreed with the Republican Study Committee’s plans for curbing the national debt, which includes raising the minimum retirement age and allowing Medicare recipients to receive subsidies they can use to buy private insurance.

Norman joins Republican Rep. Andy Biggs (Ariz.), who is running against McCarthy for the speakership, and Rep. Matt Gaetz (Fla.) in pledging to vote against McCarthy, while Reps. Matt Rosendale (Mont.) and Bob Good (Va.) have publicly doubted McCarthy’s ability to lead the Republican conference.

Rep. Chip Roy (R-Tx.), who joined Norman in nominating Biggs to challenge McCarthy, has also expressed skepticism about McCarthy’s ability to secure the 218 votes needed to win the speakership.

Key Background

McCarthy has worked his way up the ranks of the Republican conference throughout his 16 years in office and has been eyeing the speakership since at least 2015, when he abruptly dropped out of the race, fearing a lack of support among far-right members. This time around, McCarthy’s speaker bid has been threatened by the GOP’s underperformance in the midterm election. Republicans are expected to hold 222 seats once the remaining three midterm races are finalized. The slim majority created an opening for Biggs to wage a last-minute challenge against McCarthy and a platform for the House Freedom Caucus to elevate its demands in exchange for votes.

Crucial Quote

“Do you think we would be having this discussion if we’ve had a 30 seat margin? No,” Norman told Politico, referring to the midterm outcome’s effect on McCarthy’s speakership bid.

Big Number

188. That’s the number of votes McCarthy secured to be nominated for speaker on November 15, but he’ll need 30 more to officially win the contest on January 3.

What To Watch For

What the Freedom Caucus will demand from McCarthy in exchange for votes. Already, he has agreed to some rules changes, including appointing more regional representatives to the steering committee, which dilutes the voting power of committee leaders. The Freedom Caucus also wants to allow any member to initiate proceedings to remove the speaker via a “motion to vacate.” The conference shot down that rule in a meeting on November 16, but nothing is finalized until the next Congress takes over in January, and Republicans are expected to discuss additional rules changes after Congress returns from Thanksgiving recess.

Surprising Fact

House Freedom Caucus member Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), who has seen her standing in the Republican conference rise in recent months, voted in favor of McCarthy for speaker. She has cozied up to him as part of an effort to be reinstated to committees. The House voted last year to remove her from all committees following a string of controversial comments that promoted antisemitism and QAnon conspiracy theories. She’s expected to secure a spot next year on the powerful Oversight Committee.

Further Reading

Kevin McCarthy Fends Off Challenge For House Speaker Nomination—But Still Doesn’t Have The Votes To Win (Forbes)

House Republicans Prepare To Elect New Leadership—Here’s What A GOP-Controlled Congress Would Do (Forbes)