Rep. Matt Gaetz welcomed the announcement of Kevin McCarthy's resignation as some members expressed concern about removing the Republican majority in the House of Representatives.
“I wish him the best,” Gaetz told reporters in a tongue-in-cheek comment on McCarthy's departure. “I hope he finds happiness.”
But on
“For all the self-congratulatory videos McCarthy makes, his unwillingness to stay and vote on even the most basic Republican priorities until the end of his term could jeopardize our ability to get the job done.”
If he's concerned about McCarthy, a prolific fundraiser, backing a primary opponent against him, Gaetz said, “I hope he does.”
Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., echoed that sentiment but said he was “absolutely” concerned about the majority dropping from three to two seats.
“We're getting a few people sick or having problems at home and we're in the minority,” he said.
When asked if he was concerned that McCarthy would bankroll a primary against him, Burchett suggested the former speaker may already be doing so.
“Someone took polls in my district and called people,” he said.
Representative Matt Gaetz welcomed the announcement of Kevin McCarthy's resignation as some members expressed concern about the removal of the Republican majority in the House of Representatives
“I wish him the best,” Gaetz told reporters in a tongue-in-cheek comment on McCarthy's departure. 'I hope he finds happiness'
Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., who is expected to enter the Senate race in Montana, said he is “not the least bit” concerned that McCarthy will bankroll a primary opponent against him.
The former Speaker of the House will retire at the end of this month, he announced on Wednesday.
In an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal, he boasted of the House's achievements under his chairmanship.
“It is in this spirit that I have decided to leave the House of Representatives at the end of this year to serve America in new ways. I know my work is just beginning,” he wrote.
“I will continue to recruit our country's best and brightest to run for elected office. The Republican Party is expanding every day and I am committed to using my experience to support the next generation of leaders.”
McCarthy first took office in the House of Representatives in 2007. He quickly rose through the ranks, jumping from deputy whip, majority whip, majority leader, minority leader and then chairman.
After receiving 15 ballots to win the presidency in January, the California Republican was summarily impeached by his colleagues nine months later over a clean spending bill he put on the House floor.
He was the first speaker ever removed by a motion to evict.
The Republican majority in the House of Representatives will now drop to two with McCarthy's departure, after Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., was expelled last week.
The special election for Santos' seat is on February 13.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., sounded off on the slimmed-down majority on X.
'Well… Now in 2024 we will have a majority of 1 seat in the House of Representatives. Congratulations Freedom Caucus for one and 105 Rep ousting ours for the other. I can assure you that Republican voters did not give us the majority to crash the ship. Hopefully no one dies.'
The retirement announcement follows that of Rep. Patrick McHenry, RN.C., McCarthy's close ally who helped negotiate the debt limit deal with the White House. McHenry will complete his term and will not seek re-election.
Gaetz launched a motion to vacate after McCarthy introduced a “clean” continuing resolution, or CR, on the floor of the House of Representatives to keep government spending at 2023 levels for six weeks and avoid a government shutdown . Gaetz and other conservatives wanted sharp cuts, not CRs.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell delivered a message of praise for X.
'.@SpeakerMcCarthy's neighbors in Bakersfield were fortunate to have such an optimistic doer represent them for seventeen years. I am proud of the work we have done together at the Capitol, and I wish him all the best as he writes a new chapter.”
Months ago, in September, McCarthy was critical of Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., for considering leaving Congress.
“I mean, if Victoria is worried about fighting stronger, I wish she would run again and not give up. I mean, I don't give up. I will continue my work for the American public.”