Rep. Nancy Mace expressed alarm on Sunday about conceivable “backroom deals” made by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a Republican from California, to earn enough support from the party to be elected. On Friday, McCarthy won over the majority of the 20 Republicans who had opposed his speaker attempt, finally securing his position on the 15th ballot after persuading the six remaining dissenters to cast a “present” vote.
The Backroom Deals
Mace claimed that the dissident group is hypocritical in their claims that they are fighting the swamp and have no knowledge of private backroom dealings. She also dubbed Rep. Matt Gaetzone, one of the top McCarthy opponents, a fake for exploiting the charade to garner money. Gaetz, who led the opposition to McCarthy and ultimately voted in favor, had secretly wished to head a House Armed Services subcommittee.
She claimed that they didn’t run on that basis and that they don’t know what pledges or gentleman’s handshakes were given, which causes her quite a bit of discomfort, a source posted.
No chairmanship negotiations are tied to the McCarthy vote, as stated by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla. According to Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska, the demands enraged Republican base members. After the vote, McCarthy denied making any promises, but Gaetz told reporters that he changed his mind after running out of things he could ask for.
The Approval of House Rules Package
A set of internal rules that give right-wing hardliners more clout over the chamber’s newly elected Republican speaker, Kevin McCarthy, were adopted by the Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives on Monday, a source posted.
The rules package was rejected by lawmakers by a vote of 220 to 113, with one Republican, Representative Tony Gonzales, joining all 212 Democrats in opposing it. Yet another Republican stayed home.
After the humiliation of 14 unsuccessful ballots last week before being selected as a speaker on Saturday, McCarthy’s ability to maintain the unity of his caucus was tested early on with the rules package, which will regulate House operations for the ensuing two years.
