Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy Denies Reports of Resignation
In a surprising turn of events, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has denied reports that he is expected to step down from Congress before the end of his term. Speaking to reporters on Friday, McCarthy stated that he still has “work to do,” despite sending different signals in private conversations.
Earlier in the day, multiple sources familiar with McCarthy’s thinking informed CNN that he was expected to resign before his term concluded. This news comes on the heels of McCarthy’s recent ousting from the speakership in a historic vote. Following his removal, McCarthy chose not to run again for the gavel, sparking a race for a new speaker.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and GOP Rep. Jim Jordan have both launched bids to become the next speaker. However, the deep divisions within the Republican conference make it uncertain whether House Republicans will be able to unite around a single candidate.
After the vote to remove him from the speakership, McCarthy remained ambiguous about his plans for the future. When asked at a press conference if he would remain in Congress, he simply stated, “I’ll look at that.”
Reports of McCarthy considering resignation were initially published by Politico. It remains to be seen whether he will follow through with his denial and stay in Congress or if this situation will continue to evolve. The political landscape is rife with speculation as the Republican party grapples with its leadership crisis.
This story has been updated with additional information.