GOP Faction Threatens to Withhold Support for McCarthy’s Speaker Bid
Summary from AllSides News Team
After an underwhelming midterm election for the Republican Party, a faction of the party's Freedom Caucus is threatening to withhold support for Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s (R-CA) bid for the house speaker position.
Key Quotes: Fox News reports that some Freedom Caucus members are seeking an added provision that would allow any party member to file a motion for the speaker to vacate the position. Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) said that "members must be able to hold their own leadership accountable." Others in the party remain hopeful McCarthy will secure the necessary votes; The Hill quoted Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA), who said that “If it weren’t for Kevin’s efforts, we wouldn’t be back in the majority. So I just feel like he’s going to get the gavel.”
For Context: While the largest discussions are focused on an intensifying feud between former president Donald Trump and 2024 hopeful Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a similar debate is waging in the halls of congress, where Republicans are still expected to gain a slim majority after all the votes are counted. The Freedom Caucus is made up of majority pro-Trump representatives. Trump endorsed McCarthy’s bid for house speaker on Nov. 8.
How the Media Covered it: The feud was covered across the spectrum and widely framed as empty "saber-rattling" from the Freedom Caucus.
Featured Coverage of this Story
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Freedom Caucus Rep. Andy Biggs says 'not so fast' to McCarthy speakership after disappointing election results

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