Today is the big day when Republicans take over the House of Representatives and choose a new Speaker, which you already know is going to be a big fight.
But unlike 2015, when McCarthy bowed out of the race due to conservative opposition, his supporters say he’s in this “until hell freezes.”
Here’s more from Politico:
After weeks of intense, down-to-the-wire negotiations, the California Republican is about out of time to lock down the needed 218 votes. With his yearslong effort to claim the speakership trapped in limbo, he’ll first meet with his party’s conference Tuesday morning behind closed doors, likely making his final case before members head to the House floor to vote.
Twice McCarthy has been on the precipice of taking the gavel, and twice a group of conservatives has worked to block him from the House’s most powerful perch. He bowed out of the race in 2015 amid the House Freedom Caucus opposition. This time, his allies say he’s prepared to fight until the potentially bitter end.
“He’s steadfast. He’s in this until hell freezes,” said Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), a McCarthy backer.
How long that fight will last is still unclear. McCarthy supporters say they expect him to keep Republicans on the House floor, instead of trying to adjourn for off-the-floor strategy sessions between ballots, as he hopes to grind down his opponents. And while a speakership vote has gone past the first ballot only once since the Civil War, Republicans are mentally preparing not just for multiple ballots, but also multiple days of voting.
When asked on Monday whether he had the necessary backing to claim the gavel, McCarthy predicted he would have a “good day” but quipped that he didn’t want to “take away all the excitement.”
Five conservatives — Reps. Matt Gaetz of Florida, Andy Biggs of Arizona, Bob Good of Virginia, Matt Rosendale of Montana and Ralph Norman of South Carolina — are still vowing to oppose the Republican leader, and other members remain publicly undecided. McCarthy has worked fervently to lock down support, releasing a long list of concessions he’s prepared to make on rules changes, including making it easier to depose a speaker.
But so far it hasn’t moved his staunch opposition. Gaetz, after a meeting with McCarthy, reiterated that he believes there are at least five “no” votes, including him, heading into Tuesday. That’s sparked some claims that McCarthy’s opponents aren’t negotiating in good faith.
This fight could play out over hours or days. It really just depends on how long these five conservatives want to hold out for someone better.
We’ll keep you updated on what happens during the voting. I’m interested to see if it’s just this five or if more vote against McCarthy on the first ballot.
UPDATE: It’s being reported that as many as 20 members may be voting against McCarthy on the first ballot.
MCCARTHY acknowledges behind closed-doors there are likely 20 or so members voting against him, not 5
— Olivia Beavers (@Olivia_Beavers) January 3, 2023