NRCC postpones fall gala to focus on Speaker election : live coverage

Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.) said Wednesday that he thinks the House GOP conference would have devolved into a physical fight had lawmakers stayed in town after the Tuesday night vote to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif) from his post. 

“I’ll be really candid. I think if we had stayed together in the meeting last night, I think that you would have seen fists thrown,” Graves said in an interview on CNN’s “The Lead.” “And I’m not being dramatic when I say that.”

Graves, a key McCarthy ally, defended the decision of the acting Speaker, Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.), to send lawmakers home until next week.

“There is a lot of raw emotions right now. I think it was best to let folks go back home, decompress a little bit and then come back together,” he said Wednesday. 

Graves’s remarks come after McHenry’s decision has faced criticism from some who say the House should have stayed in session to elect a Speaker. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who spearheaded the effort to oust McCarthy, sharply criticized the decision in an interview Tuesday night.

Read the full story here.

— Sarah Fortinsky

Fox News host Brian Kilmeade and Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) had a tense exchange during a recent interview after the network anchor grilled the lawmaker’s decision to vote to remove former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

During an interview on Fox News’s “Fox and Friends,” Kilmeade pressed Burchett on whether he would have acted to remove McCarthy if Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) hadn’t done so.

“You’re happy following [Rep.] Matt Gaetz? Is that your leader?” Kilmeade asked. 

“I’m not following Matt Gaetz. I made my own decision,” Burchett replied. “I didn’t ask Matt for his approval.”

“But if Matt Gaetz didn’t challenge, you weren’t going to challenge,” Kilmeade asked. 

“I believe I would have,” Burchett said. 

Kilmeade then appeared to take aim at Burchett’s previous comments that McCarthy’s  “condescending” remarks about his faith sealed the deal.

Read the full story here.

— Olafimihan Oshin

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), House Republicans’ campaign arm, delayed its fall 2023 gala scheduled for next week, as House Republicans work to elect a new House Speaker.

In a note to colleagues, NRCC Chairman Rich Hudson (R-N.C.) said House Republicans must focus on electing a new Speaker and accomplishing “the legislative work before us,” an NRCC spokesperson confirmed to The Hill. Punchbowl News was first to report. 

“I wanted to send you an important update regarding the 2023 NRCC Fall Gala in Dallas, TX,” Hudson wrote in his letter. “I want you to be the first to know – in consultation with our Leadership team and many of you – we have decided to postpone this dinner.”

Read the full story here.

— Sarah Fortinsky

Former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) weighed in on the ousting of Rep. Kevin McCarthy, calling the eight Republicans who voted to remove McCarthy “opportunists.”

Eight GOP lawmakers joined Democrats Tuesday to vote against McCarthy in a historic first-time removal of a House Speaker.

In an interview with John Catsimatidis on the “Cats & Cosby” show, Gingrich warned House Republicans that the eight rogue members do not have party loyalty.

“These are opportunists who are totally irresponsible,” Gingrich said. “All eight of these guys should get defeated in the next Republican primaries because they’re not really Republicans.”

Read the full story here.

— Lauren Irwin

Allies of toppled former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) are fuming at Democrats for failing to back him amid his historic ejection — leaving Democrats arguing the GOP has no one to blame but themselves.

Republican ire hasn’t just been centered on the eight members of their own conference who ignited and backed the vote to oust McCarthy, but the Democrats who voted in unison to remove him.

And Speaker Pro Temp Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) exacted some swift revenge — booting both Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and former House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) from their hideaway offices in the Capitol.

But the offices are just the physical targets of a GOP seething that Democrats enabled a coup from the eight Republicans. 

Read the full story here.

— Rebecca Beitsch

A growing chorus of Republicans are demanding the House change or get rid of the rule that paved the way for former Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s (R-Calif.) ouster this week.

As part of the dramatic, 15-ballot election that handed McCarthy the gavel in January, the former Speaker agreed to lower the threshold to force a vote on a motion to vacate from five to one — which allowed Gaetz to single-handedly call for the vote this week.

Now, Republicans furious at the mutiny want to make sure that can’t happen again.

• Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.): “I’m not supporting ANYONE for Speaker until there is a commitment to reform the Motion to Vacate.”
• Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.): “I want to know how the next Speaker is going to ensure what happened yesterday never happens again.”
• Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.): “No Speaker should have this proverbial gun to their head when trying to do the right thing by the American people, especially in a divided government.”

READ MORE HERE.

— Miranda Nazzaro

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.) in a statement Wednesday described his relationship with former Speaker Kevin McCarthy as “respectful, communicative and forward-looking.”

“On many occasions, we strongly disagreed with each other. However, we agreed to disagree without being personally disagreeable in order to find common ground whenever possible.”

Jeffries said he hoped and expected that McCarthy’s efforts to examine the competition between the U.S. and China, as well as further examination of artificial intelligence would carry on with the next House Speaker.

Calling McCarthy’s rise an example of the “power of possibility in America,” Jeffries wished McCarthy and his staff well.

A mad dash is kicking off in the House GOP to elect a new nominee for Speaker after the House ousted Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) from the post Tuesday, and he declined to seek the gavel again.

Republicans expect to hold an internal candidate forum Tuesday and an election Wednesday.

Click here for the top GOP contenders for Speaker — and who is out of the running.

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) said Wednesday he thinks Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) or Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) would be a “monumental upgrade” over former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).

“I know this — if it’s Speaker Jim Jordan or Speaker Steve Scalise, there will be very few conservatives in the country who don’t see that as a monumental upgrade over Speaker McCarthy,” Gaetz said during an appearance on Newsmax.

Both Scalise and Jordan have thrown their hats into the ring for the Speakership in the wake of McCarthy’s exit. 

“I nominated Jim Jordan back in January,” Gaetz said. “Obviously, he’s someone I could vote for. Steve Scalise is also a great guy. I think the world of him. He’s someone I could vote for. So, I think that we’ll see a number of talented people come forward.”

— Tara Suter

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) made ignominious history Tuesday when he became the first Speaker ever to be ousted by a vote of the House.

McCarthy defended his record and took shots at his tormentors during a Tuesday evening press conference. But by then he had also made known — to the consternation of his allies — that he would not seek to retake the gavel.

It’s been a series of dramatic days, and there is more turbulence to come.

The Hill’s Niall Stanage has five big takeaways:

• A government shutdown is more likely — and Ukraine aid more imperiled
• A big win for Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.)
• Democrats got rid of the devil they know…
• Republicans caused themselves damage — but how much?
• Anger burns red hot on Capitol Hill

Click here to read more about each.

Rep. Dave Joyce (R-Ohio) said in a Wednesday interview that he would support a theoretical vote to remove from the GOP conference the eight colleagues who voted to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in the historic Tuesday vote.

“If it was up to me, I’d vote for it,” Joyce said in an interview on CNN’s “Inside Politics” when asked how he would vote on a theoretical effort to kick them out of the House GOP conference.

“It’s a waste of time having conversations with these people,” he added. “And I think we need to start working and, going forward, as a unified group.”

Joyce, who chairs the moderate caucus known as the Republican Governance Group, criticized his Republican colleagues for participating in conference meetings and then voting against the group’s agenda. 

“I don’t see how they can really be part of a conference when … they come on the inside, listen to what’s going on, and go outside and lob bombs in the middle,” Joyce said in the interview. 

— Sarah Fortinksy

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) slammed Democrats for “aligning themselves” with Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) on the vote to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).

“And I think he [Gaetz] has certainly alienated lots of people left and right,” Lawler, a moderate, told reporters while leaving the Speaker’s office Wednesday. “Which is why it’s all the more ironic that House Democrats align themselves with somebody who they believe is morally unfit to serve in public office and can come to Congress.”

When asked if he supports Reps. Jim Jordan’s (R-Ohio) or Steve Scalise’s (R-La.) bids for Speakership, Lawler said he “isn’t getting into the Speaker’s race yet.”

— Miranda Nazzaro

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has called on the next Speaker of the House to get rid of the motion to vacate, warning that keeping the controversial rule in place will make the next Speaker’s job “impossible.”

McConnell told reporters Wednesday that he didn’t have much advice to give House GOP lawmakers as they wrestle over electing a Speaker with one noble exception: Give the next Speaker more job security.

“I hope whoever the next Speaker is gets rid of the motion to vacate,” he said.

— Alexander Bolton

Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.) on Wednesday called to reform the motion to vacate that was used to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).

“I’m not supporting ANYONE for Speaker until there is a commitment to reform the Motion to Vacate,” he wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “The coup against Speaker McCarthy was DESPICABLE & must never happen again.”

“No one can govern effectively while being threatened by fringe hostage takers.”

Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-N.Y.) said Wednesday the historic ouster of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) sets a “very bad precedent.”

“Let me make this very clear, this has set a very bad precedent that ought not to be repeated, and the threshold for the use of the motion to vacate ought to be very very high, and I don’t believe was met yesterday,” Molinaro, a moderate, told reporters ahead of entering the House Speaker’s office Wednesday.

When asked if he supports Reps. Jim Jordan’s (R-Ohio) or Steve Scalise’s (R-La.) bids for the Speakership, Molinaro kept his cards close to his chest.

“I intend to to keep my powder dry and work to define who will best … will serve not only the conference, but the people I represent as well,” Molinaro said.

— Miranda Nazzaro

Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) said the Republican Party “better damn well” have a round one selection for Speaker by next week.

When asked if the House GOP conference will be ready next week to nominate a Speaker, Roy said they “better damn well be, we got to get it done.”

Roy also brushed off concerns about Speaker Pro Tem Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) having to serve for an extended period of time.

“We’re just going to keep the House functioning, but we’re going to come back next week and choose a speaker,” Roy told reporters.

— Miranda Nazzaro

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) announced he is entering the race for Speaker.

“You know my leadership style I’ve displayed as your Majority Leader and Whip,” Scalise wrote in a “dear colleague” letter.

“I have a proven track record of bringing together the diverse array of viewpoints within our Conference to build consensus where others thought it impossible.”

Scalise joins Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) in the contest for Speaker.

A handful of Republicans have floated the possibility of electing former President Trump as the next House Speaker, but that may not be possible under current GOP House conference rules.

“Rule 26” started trending on X — the platform previously known as Twitter — shortly after Republicans started talking about backing Trump to replace former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who was ousted from his leadership position Tuesday afternoon. Many users pointed out that since the former president is under numerous felony indictments, he may not be able to serve in Republican leadership based on this rule.

While the House Speaker is not required to be a sitting member of Congress, it is still highly unlikely that Trump could garner enough House Republican votes to actually become Speaker. 

Here’s what to know about the rule.

— Lauren Sforza

Republican leaders are making moves to determine leadership. Here’s the latest:

• House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) is running for Speaker
• House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) confirms he’s running for majority leader
• House Deputy Majority Whip Guy Reschenthaler (R-Pa.) confirms he’s running for majority whip
• Emmer endorses House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) for Speaker

— Mychael Schnell

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), in a “dear colleague” letter asking for support as Speaker, focused on slamming “far-left progressive policies” regarding crime and the border, as well as GOP allegations that the federal government is being “weaponized” against Republicans.

“We are at a critical crossroad in our nation’s history. Now is the time for our Republican conference to come together to keep our promises to Americans. The problems we face are challenging, but they are not insurmountable. We can focus on the Changs that improve the country and unite us in offering real solutions. But no matter what we do, we must do it together as a conference,” he wrote.

“I respectfully ask for your support for Speaker of the House of Representatives.”

Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.), a top ally of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), spoke about potential repercussions for Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and the seven others who voted out the California Republican from the Speaker’s office.

“I think Matt would be a great dictator in a small island nation in the Pacific or something, but that’s probably the best next step for him,” Graves said.

GOP leadership booted another top Democrat, Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), out of his Capitol “hideaway office” Wednesday morning amid the fallout from an unprecedented vote Tuesday to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).

Hoyer joins Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who was told by Speaker Pro Tem Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) to vacate her office so he could take it over.

Read the full story here.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) warned Wednesday that Congress is in a “dangerous situation” without an elected Speaker in place in the House and government funding due to expire next month.  

Schumer warned that Congress won’t be able to pass any appropriations bills while the future leadership of the House remains unresolved, heightening the chance of a government shutdown.  

“We find ourselves in a dangerous situation, with about 40 days to go before the government shutsdown, the House has ground completely to a halt,” he said on the Senate floor. “Until Republicans stop their infighting, the House can vote on no bills, no appropriations work can get done.” 

Schumer also warned that the paralysis in Congress may put national security at risk if disaster strikes. 

“If, God forbid, some national crisis were to occur that demands immediate action, the House would be unable to quickly respond,” he said.  

— Alexander Bolton

Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) on Wednesday threw his support behind Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) for Speaker.

“When it comes to negotiating on behalf of the House GOP Majority with the Senate and White House, I can’t think of anyone stronger than @Jim_Jordan to be our next Speaker of the House. He never backs down and has my full support,” Banks wrote on X, the platform previously known as Twitter.

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) is making calls to earn support to be majority leader and is supporting current Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) for Speaker, per three sources familiar.

— Emily Brooks

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) is running for Speaker of the House, his spokesperson confirmed to The Hill.

Jordan, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, could attract support from hard-line conservatives: He was the first-ever chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus.

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) said Tuesday that Jordan would be his first choice for the top job.

— Mychael Schnell

House Republicans leading the impeachment inquiry into President Biden gave conflicting assessments of how the vote ousting former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) would impact their sprawling investigation.

For House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) the vote “doesn’t change anything,” while House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-Mo.) called the decision a “setback” to efforts to impeach Biden.

The diverging comments were a reflection of the chaos in the House Republican conference, as the GOP grapples with replacing McCarthy, who last month reversed his stance on whether to formally begin an impeachment inquiry under pressure from the party’s right-wing members.

READ MORE HERE.

— Rebecca Beitsch

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) railed against former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calf.) for blaming Democrats for being ousted from his leadership role in a historic vote. 

“Does anyone believe for one minute that McCarthy would help elect a Dem speaker ‘for the institution’?” Ocasio-Cortez wrote in a post on X. “McCarthy’s hubris is a theme. He loudly stated he wouldn’t negotiate w/ Dems, called virtually none, trashed those who helped w/CR [continuing resolution], and then expected Dem votes for free?” 

Her comments came just hours after McCarthy was ousted by a 216-210 vote, led by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.). Ocasio-Cortez was responding to McCarthy’s line from his speech following the vote in which he said, “I think today was a political decision by the Democrats.” 

— Miranda Nazzaro

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) said Tuesday she will only back one person to replace former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in the top House GOP role: former President Trump.

“The only candidate for Speaker I am currently supporting is President Donald J. Trump,” Greene wrote on X, the platform previously known as Twitter. “He has a proven 4 year record as President of the United States of America.”

In a lengthy post, she said rattled off a series of promises that Trump will keep if he is elected to the Speakership, including ending the war in Ukraine, securing the border and ending the “politically weaponized government.” 

“He received a record number of Republican votes of any Republican Presidential candidate! We can make him Speaker and then elect him President!” Greene continued. “He will MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”

— Lauren Sforza

Senate Republicans are watching the rebellion against former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in the House with serious alarm and are concerned over what the chaos will mean for the GOP’s brand in the 2024 election.  

GOP senators are worried about the party’s ability to govern over the next 13 months and whether they’ll be able to avoid a government shutdown later this year. 

They also feel anxious about the growing radicalization of their party’s base.  

The growing strength of far-right populists in the House raises disconcerting questions about how next year’s primaries will play out for the GOP and whether candidates with more appeal with swing voters can advance to the general election. 

“These insurgents have no plan and now they’ve created even more chaos and it’s not good for the House, it’s not good for Republicans and they have no clear path forward,” fumed Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), a member of the Senate GOP leadership team.  

READ MORE HERE.

— Alexander Bolton