California Rep. Kevin McCarthy slammed the eight House Republicans who voted against him earlier this month in the historic ouster, accusing them of siding with Democrats and “disrupting government.”
The disgraced former speaker vowed to help Ohio Rep. taking Jim Jordan in his place when he spoke to FOX News on Sunday.
The eight Republicans who voted in favor of removing the speaker were Andy Biggs of Arizona, Ken Buck of Colorado, Tim Burchett of Tennessee, Eli Crane of Arizona, Matt Gaetz of Florida, Bob Good of Virginia, Nancy Mace of South -Carolina and Matt Rosendale from Montana.
It was the first time in history that the chamber voted out a speaker — and it came as a victory for Gaetz, who filed the motion against McCarthy after months of threats and jabs.
With a final tally of 216-210, McCarthy fell just six votes short, thanks to eight Republicans — and 208 Democrats.
Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) appeared on FOX News Sunday, where he criticized fellow Republicans for voting with Democrats in favor of a motion to remove him as speaker of the House
The race to elect a new speaker has intensified as unrest in the Middle East simmers and pressure to provide aid to Israel escalates on both sides of the aisle.
The unprecedented ouster marked the first time in history that the chamber voted out a speaker
“The real challenge here is that eight Republicans did something,” McCarthy said.
“No one would have thought that they would work with every single Democrat to disrupt this nation, to remove me as speaker.”
The Republican continued: ‘It’s taught people now why don’t you just work with Democrats and disrupt the government?
“It will go down in history as one of the biggest mistakes these eight made in the process.”
The California representative’s comments came as the House reached day 12 over the weekend without a speaker.
However, House Republicans have Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan nominated for the role – and McCarthy seems to have endorsed him.
“I spoke to Jim last night. He talks to every single member and assesses what their challenges are,’ McCarthy said.
“But we have to be able to work together.”
Andy Biggs of Arizona (left) and Ken Buck of Colorado (right) were among the eight Republicans who voted to oust McCarthy from the speakership
They were joined by Tennessee’s Tim Burchett (left) and Arizona’s Eli Crane (right)
Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz (left) found victory after months of issuing threats and taunts against McCarthy before filing the motion. Bob Good of Virginia (R) also voted in favor of removing McCarthy
Other Republicans who joined politicians across the aisle in voting McCarthy out include Nancy Mace of South Carolina (left) and Matt Rosendale of Montana (right)
He claimed Jordan did not have the necessary votes to win the speakership.
McCarthy threw his support behind Jordan, who serves as the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, one day after Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise dropped out of the race.
McCarthy balked when asked about party members Mike Johnson and Kevin Hern serving as consensus candidates, or those who maximize the amount of people who approve of them holding office.
‘I don’t think either of them can win. It will come up short, he said.
“I think Jim Jordan can get the votes.”
He also took the opportunity to take shots at elected officials across the aisle, saying: ‘Every single Democrat chose to create this chaos.’
The California Republican strongly resisted the idea of running again, claiming it would add to this “chaos.”
‘I want to put the country first. I’m going to help lead regardless of whatever title I have,” he said. “I have a responsibility.”
McCarthy said the actions of his party members ‘taught people to work with Democrats and disrupt the government’
McCarthy endorsed Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) for Speaker of the House on Friday, but claimed he did not yet have the votes he needed to win
The scramble to fill the vacant speakership has intensified as war looms in the Middle East.
Last week, Republican Rep. John Duarte – also from California – urged his fellow representatives to reinstate McCarthy and allow the House to provide additional weapons and defense support to Israel.
“We have one of our strongest allies in the world under attack, and we’re walking around with a leadership battle in the House that should never have happened,” he said.
‘Kevin McCarthy should never have been evicted.
“He’s led through some of the most bipartisan constructive legislation that’s happened in the House in years, and he’s an excellent speaker.”