Despite his dramatic ouster last week, former House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-California) is open to coming back to the position in case the GOP Conference is unable to find a replacement.
He expressed his willingness to return to the position during an interview with Conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt on Monday.
When asked if he would choose to return as the speaker if Republicans remain unsuccessful in agreeing on a replacement, he said it was up to the conference to decide. “I’m still a member. I’m going to continue to fight and act,” he added.
He said that he would be willing to return to the post even if eight of his Republican colleagues who helped oust him retreated. “Look, whatever the conference wants, I will do. I think we need to be strong. I think we need to be united. The eight, in my view, don’t look to be — it was a personal thing,” he said.
McCarthy defended his decision to pass the stopgap plan to avert the looming government shutdown, saying he was disappointed with his fellow Republicans who stood against the bill.
On September 30, McCarthy relied on Democrats to pass a stopgap plan that avoided a government shutdown, much to the chagrin of some hardline GOP lawmakers. He was ultimately ousted after eight Republicans sided with all Democrats for his removal as the speaker.
Meanwhile, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana) beat House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) when the House Republicans voted Wednesday for a new speaker. Scalise still needs to command a majority of the full House in the next speakership vote, which still remains in doubt.
