UPDATED 4:23 P.M.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Former U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy said on Friday he will finish his congressional term and run for re-election, denying media reports that suggested the Republican would resign from Congress before the end of his term.
THE TAKE
McCarthy’s future has been the subject of speculation since he became the first House speaker in U.S. history to be ousted from that position, after angering hardline critics in his party.
Citing sources, CNN reported earlier on Friday that McCarthy was expected to step down from Congress and that he did not plan to get involved in the race for a new speaker.
KEY QUOTES
“No, I’m not resigning. I’m staying, so don’t worry,” McCarthy told reporters on Friday when asked about the report.
“We’re going to keep the majority. I’m going to help the people I got here, and we’re going to expand it.”
CONTEXT
The slim 221-212 Republican majority in the House is preparing to select McCarthy’s replacement. Republicans are scheduled to vote for a nominee on Wednesday, though it make take a while for them to settle on a candidate.
Two Republican lawmakers are campaigning to replace McCarthy: Steve Scalise, who was second to McCarthy on the leadership ladder, and Jim Jordan, an outspoken conservative who has the endorsement of former Republican President Donald Trump.
At least one other lawmaker, Kevin Hern, has said he may run as well.
(Reporting by Kanishka Singh and David Morgan in Washington; Editing by Rami Ayyub and Rosalba O’Brien)
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WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Former U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy is expected to step down from Congress before the end of his term, CNN reported on Friday citing sources, adding he planned to stay at least through the speaker election due to begin next week.
McCarthy does not plan to get involved in the race for a new speaker, CNN reported. On Tuesday, he became the first House speaker in U.S. history to be ousted from the top congressional post.
His office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The slim 221-212 Republican majority in the House is preparing to select McCarthy’s replacement. Republicans are scheduled to vote for a nominee in a closed-door session on Wednesday, though it make take a while for them to settle on a candidate.
Two Republican lawmakers are campaigning to replace McCarthy: Representative Steve Scalise, who was second to McCarthy on the leadership ladder, and Representative Jim Jordan, an outspoken conservative who has the endorsement of former Republican President Donald Trump.
At least one other lawmaker, Representative Kevin Hern, has said he may run as well.
McCarthy was voted out after angering his hardline critics by relying on Democratic votes to pass a temporary spending bill that averted a government shutdown.
(Reporting by Kanishka Singh and David Morgan in Washington; Editing by Chris Reese and Rami Ayyub)
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WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Former U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy is expected to step down from Congress before the end of his term, CNN reported on Friday, citing sources, adding he planned to stay at least through the speakership election to begin next week.
McCarthy does not plan to get involved in the race for a new speaker, CNN reported. McCarthy became the first House speaker in U.S. history to be ousted from the top congressional post on Tuesday.
His office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
(Reporting by Kanishka Singh and David Morgan in Washington; Editing by Chris Reese)
This story will be updated.
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