Even though he doesn’t have the votes he needs to be elected Speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) is moving into the Speaker’s office, a move that could come back to humiliate him if someone else winds up being the next Speaker.
The Daily Mail reports that staffers for McCarthy were seen moving his belongings to the office of the Speaker.
House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy told reporters Tuesday would be a ‘good day’ after his staff spent Monday morning moving his office furniture into the Speaker’s chambers.
Looking somewhat stressed on Monday afternoon, the California Republican was rushing out of the US Capitol when reporters asked him about the following day’s House-wide vote to elect their chamber’s leader.
McCarthy’s campaign for the gavel has been somewhat bumpy for weeks, but the pressure has ramped up in the final 48 hours with as many as 15 GOP members allegedly ready to vote against him. He can only lose four votes to still clinch victory.
Earlier that day, his staff had been seen moving belongings and wheeling carts into the House Speaker’s office at the US Capitol.
CNN notes that the rearranging of furniture and other belongings is “standard procedure,” but it could prove embarrassing if McCarthy isn’t able to get the votes he needs to be Speaker of the House.
Will McCarthy be able to cobble together a coalition of House Republicans who are willing to see him as Speaker? That seems unlikely based on reports of recent meetings by members of the GOP House caucus, with Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) telling reporters Monday that he was still a “no” vote on elevating McCarthy to the top spot.
If McCarthy fails to get the needed majority, it could well spell the end of the Republican House agenda before they even get to any legislating. Then again, that’s probably what’s best for the country in the long run.
