Lawmakers plot McCarthy replacement in case motion to vacate succeeds
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Discussions on who could replace Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) are beginning to emerge from the shadows, with multiple GOP sources questioning if he'll make it until December.
Why it matters: Some House GOP members — including McCarthy allies — say there should be a contingency plan to avoid another grueling speaker vote in case Rep. Matt Gaetz's (R-Fla.) threatened motion to vacate were to succeed.
- Recruiting a viable candidate is likely to be difficult, with multiple members saying they are not interested in the position.
- "It'll be a unity speaker, and whoever it is will cut a deal to get Dems and then change House rules to preclude motion to vacate," one member speculated. "But he [McCarthy] may keep dancing his way through the fire."
- Two GOP lawmakers noted that House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) would be the natural successor, saying a caretaker speaker could bide time while Scalise undergoes cancer treatment ahead of the start of the new Congress.
The intrigue: One lawmaker confirmed to Axios that Homeland Security Committee Chair Mark Green (R-Tenn.) was approached multiple times about being a potential replacement, but declined interest in the position.
- A slew of different names have been floated by members in different factions, including Republican Study Committee Chair Kevin Hern (R-Okla.), House Budget Chair Jodey Arrington (R-Texas), House Rules Chair Tom Cole (R-Okla.), House Financial Services Chair Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.).
- The Washington Post cited Emmer as a potential favorite in a story that published Thursday evening. Emmer denied having interest.
While no formal mobilization has taken place, talk of moderate GOP Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) has been been raised, with one Democrat telling Axios that Bacon would be a viable candidate to receive backing from both parties.
- "I fully stand with Kevin and want him to succeed," Bacon told Axios.
The other side: McCarthy allies told Axios they believe he'll weather the latest storm, arguing no other member can receive the support needed to get the gavel.
- "Kevin's been a highly effective speaker— he unified members in the opening week and just done an excellent job. So he's the only person who can keep it together," McHenry told Axios.
- Cole and Emmer shot down the prospect of wanting to assume the role.
Zoom in: Members told Axios that McCarthy is on shakier ground than previous difficult negotiations.
- Moderates take issue with having to take "unnecessary" difficult votes and conservatives argue he has breached the agreement he made to obtain the gavel.
Zoom out: A motion to vacate is all but inevitable if McCarthy works with Democrats or approves a bipartisan stopgap coming to the floor, and it's unclear whether members across the aisle will back him to retain his gavel.
