In the wake of his removal from the position of House Speaker, Kevin McCarthy has not dismissed the possibility of being reinstated.
During a recent press conference, where he highlighted his foreign policy expertise amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict, McCarthy emphasized that the decision to nominate him for the speakership would rest with the conference.
"That's a decision for the conference. I'll allow the conference to make whatever decision," he informed reporters. "Whether I'm speaker or not, I'm a member of this body." He reiterated this sentiment during a radio interview with Hugh Hewitt, stating, "Look, whatever the conference wants, I will do."
As the likelihood of either top candidate - Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, or Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., securing the necessary 217 votes for the speakership appears slim, moderate McCarthy supporters have begun to suggest his return. They cite the ongoing war in Israel as an urgent reason for stable House leadership.
Over the weekend, leadership members were briefed on the situation in Israel. However, interim Speaker Patrick McHenry was unable to participate due to not being officially elected to the role. Until the speakership issue is resolved, no legislation to support Israel and replenish its Iron Dome will pass.
"There are a lot of people who believe Kevin McCarthy is the right person to lead us," GOP Rep. Mike Lawler, N.Y., told reporters on Monday. However, GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz, Fla., who spearheaded the movement to remove McCarthy, pointed out on X, '"A lot of people < 218," Math is real. Time to move forward.'
Nancy Mace, R-S.C., a known McCarthy critic, added, 'It is not at all surprising that people who vote for trillion-dollar deficits, massive omnibus bills, and CRs can't count.' Meanwhile, California Republican John Duarte argued that Democrats should allow McCarthy to be reinstated as Speaker, citing his strong support for Israel.
Both Scalise and Jordan are considered more conservative than McCarthy. Duarte criticized the ongoing leadership struggle in the House, stating, 'We have one of our strongest allies in the world under attack, and we are dilly-dallying around with a leadership struggle in the House that should never have occurred.'
The idea of moderate Democrats aiding McCarthy's return to the speakership is seen as unlikely. They argue that moderate Republicans should instead support Jeffries for the speakership. 'It is a fun messaging point that has zero connection to reality,' one Democratic House aide told DailyMail.com.
Eight Republicans sided with all Democrats to remove McCarthy in an unprecedented vote last Monday. Following the vote, McCarthy announced he would not run for the speakership again but remained vague about his plans if nominated by someone else.
Last week, McCarthy dismissed rumors of his departure from Congress, revealing his intention to run again in 2024. 'I am not resigning I have a lot more work to do,' he told reporters. 'I want to keep the majority,' McCarthy said. 'We're gonna expand it further.'
As Republicans return to Washington for a contentious week, an all-conference meeting is scheduled for Monday evening. On Tuesday, speaker candidates will present their case to Republicans, and on Wednesday morning, a vote within the conference is expected to determine the GOP candidate for speaker.
Democrats will rally behind Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries as their speaker candidate. With only a four-vote majority, Republicans will need almost their entire conference to secure the required 217 votes on the House floor.
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