Unexpected Praise for House Speaker Kevin McCarthy
Speaker of the House, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), has received unexpected praise from some Democrats after a stopgap funding bill to avoid a shutdown of the U.S. government was successfully passed.
After weeks of uncertainty, 209 Democrats joined 126 Republicans in support of the measure and the bill cleared the House in a 335–91 vote on Sept. 30. The bill was approved by the Senate 88–9.
President Joe Biden then signed it into law roughly three hours before the midnight deadline.
Following Mr. McCarthy’s successful introduction of the bill, Rep. Eric Swalwell, (R-Calif.) took to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, to praise the move in a Sept. 30 post.
He also took the opportunity to take a swipe at Republicans Andy Biggs and Matt Gaetz, representatives of Arizona and Florida, respectively.
Reps. Biggs and Gaetz have been vocal critics of Mr. McCarthy in the aftermath of the bill passing, with calls to remove him from his position as Speaker of the House.
“I really admire Speaker McCarthy for putting clowns like Biggs and Gaetz in an absolute box. They’ll never have the courage to try and remove him. McCarthy has really played them,” Mr. Swalwell said.
Fellow Democrat Rep. Daniel Goldman (NY) praised Mr. McCarthy as well, responding to the post by Mr. Swalwell on X with his own words of affirmation for the Speaker of the House.
Mr. Goldman also referenced Mr. Gaetz and stated his belief that the Florida representative wouldn’t be able to follow through on his threats to have Mr. McCarthy removed from his role.
“I agree. I didn’t think Speaker McCarthy had the backbone to stand up to the MAGA extremists, but he did today,” Mr. Goldman said.
House Oversight Committee member Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) talks to reporters as he departs the O’Neill House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington on July 31, 2023. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) said he was relieved that the government wouldn’t be shutting down, but was also critical that Mr. McCarthy hadn’t introduced the bill sooner.
In a Sept. 30 statement shared to X, Mr. Beyer said he was “relieved that Mr. McCarthy folded and finally allowed a bipartisan vote at the eleventh hour on legislation to stop Republicans’ rush to a disastrous shutdown.”
“Had he taken this step sooner, it would have spared millions of Americans unnecessary fear and uncertainty,” Mr. Beyer added.
Mr. Beyer also foreshadowed that the current bill, which only provides funding until Nov. 17, is “not a permanent solution” but rather only a “short reprieve.”
In the wake of the bill passing, Mr. Gaetz has announced plans to remove Mr. McCarthy with a motion to be filed sometime this week. He posted in X Sunday night, ”I am trying to change Washington.”
In an Oct. 1 interview on CNN’s “State of the Union”, Mr. Gaetz claimed Mr. McCarthy had broken his agreement with conservatives and worked with Democrats to avoid a government shutdown.
He further stated that in his view, Republicans need to move on with trustworthy leadership.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 6, 2020. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)
Mr. Gaetz also posted on X, accusing Mr. McCarthy of deceit over an alleged side deal with the Democrats to provide more funding for Ukraine. He alleges the House Republicans were unaware of the deal until after the stopgap funding bill had passed.
In an interview on Oct. 1 on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” Mr. McCarthy said that the threat of being ousted from his position by Mr. Gaetz was nothing new. “He tried to do that the moment I ran for office,” Mr. McCarthy said.
He further stated that he is confident he will hold onto his job, and even welcomed the motion from Mr. Gaetz to have him removed, saying, “Bring it on. Let’s get over with it.”
Meanwhile, House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) told reporters on Saturday shortly after the bill’s passage that House Democrats ”haven’t had a discussion about any hypothetical motion to vacate,” regarding Mr. McCarthy’s leadership.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it,” he said.
Why is McCarthy’s ability to garner support from Democrats seen as a positive example of bipartisan cooperation?
R”>tweet. He wrote, “I’d like to give a shoutout to Kevin McCarthy for getting the appropriations bills done! Good move for the American people.” Swalwell’s praise for McCarthy, a member of the opposing party, was met with surprise and appreciation from many.
Several other Democrats also expressed their approval of McCarthy’s efforts. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) tweeted, “Glad to see Speaker McCarthy prioritize the needs of the American people and work across the aisle to pass this funding bill. This is how Congress should function.”
This unexpected praise for McCarthy highlights the importance of bipartisan cooperation and compromise in the political landscape. In an era of extreme polarization and gridlock, it is refreshing to see politicians from opposing parties acknowledge and commend the efforts of their counterparts.
The stopgap funding bill was necessary to avert an impending government shutdown. It authorizes spending levels to keep the government funded at current levels until early December. This gives Congress more time to negotiate and pass a long-term funding bill.
The fact that McCarthy was able to garner support from Democrats in passing this bill demonstrates his ability to reach across party lines and find common ground. It also showcases his leadership skills in rallying members of his own party to support the measure.
In an era where partisan politics often take precedence over cooperation, McCarthy’s success in this endeavor sets a positive example for others in positions of power. It shows that progress can be made when politicians are willing to put aside differences and work towards a common goal.
However, McCarthy’s unexpected praise has not been without its critics. Some Republicans have expressed concern that his willingness to work with Democrats compromises conservative values and principles. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) has even threatened to move to oust McCarthy as House Speaker.
Gaetz’s criticism highlights the challenges faced by politicians who choose to pursue bipartisan initiatives. While McCarthy’s actions may have garnered him praise from Democrats, they have also alienated some members of his own party who view compromise as a betrayal of conservative ideals.
Despite the criticism, McCarthy’s ability to navigate the complex dynamics of Congress and pass a crucial funding bill is commendable. It showcases his effectiveness as a leader and his commitment to serving the American people.
As the political landscape continues to be marked by division and partisanship, McCarthy’s unexpected bipartisan success serves as a reminder that unity and cooperation are still possible. It provides hope that politicians can rise above party lines and work together for the betterment of the nation.
In a time when the American people are yearning for leaders who can bring about meaningful change, McCarthy’s unexpected praise is a glimmer of hope. It highlights the potential for collaboration and compromise in an otherwise polarized political climate.
Moving forward, it is essential that more lawmakers follow McCarthy’s example and prioritize the needs of the American people over partisan interests. By working together and finding common ground, politicians can achieve progress and address the challenges facing the nation.
The unexpected praise for House Speaker Kevin McCarthy serves as a testament to the power of bipartisan efforts and the impact they can have on the American people. It underscores the importance of leaders who are willing to set aside political differences and work towards meaningful solutions.
As the country continues to navigate complex issues and face unprecedented challenges, McCarthy’s unexpected praise offers a glimmer of hope for a more unified and effective government. It serves as a reminder of the potential for progress when political leaders prioritize the greater good.
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