House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) took a bold and calculated risk by initiating an impeachment investigation against President Joe Biden amidst a heated battle over appropriations.
The announcement on September 12 drew fierce criticism from Democrats, with Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) describing it as ”politics on steroids.” The White House spokesperson, Ian Sams, condemned the inquiry as “extreme politics at its worst.”
However, McCarthy may not have anticipated the deepening division within his own party over spending levels for the upcoming fiscal year. Despite making concessions to the most conservative members of his caucus, who have long pushed for the president’s impeachment, McCarthy now finds himself caught in a three-way standoff between a united Senate, a determined president, and obstructionist members of his own party.
The House is rushing to pass 12 appropriations bills before the fiscal year ends on September 30, risking a government shutdown. Adding to the tension, any House member can call for a vote to remove McCarthy from his leadership role, and one member of his own party has threatened to do so if he doesn’t agree to further spending cuts.
McCarthy’s ability to survive this leadership challenge will depend on his skill in outmaneuvering both hardline Republicans and a bipartisan syndicate in the Senate. To succeed, he will likely employ the combination of tactics that have become his trademark during his tumultuous tenure as speaker: strategic maneuvering, consensus building, and patience, with a touch of hardball politics.
Calculated Risk
A faction within the Republican party has been calling for President Biden’s impeachment since before his election. On February 2, 2020, Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) stated, “I think this door of impeachable whatever has been opened,” referring to the events involving the president’s son that are now under investigation.
In January 2021, articles of impeachment were introduced against President Biden in the House, but the effort gained no traction. However, House Republicans initiated inquiries into Hunter Biden’s activities in January 2023, and new articles of impeachment were filed in May of that year.
Initially, McCarthy seemed hesitant, stating that any formal investigation would require a vote by the entire House. He emphasized that House Republicans would not take the matter lightly or use it for political gain. However, under pressure from hardline Republicans, McCarthy changed his stance, fearing a government shutdown without any appropriations bills passed.
The next day, members of the House Freedom Caucus demanded deep spending cuts, regardless of the consequences. They vowed to stop the ”craziness” of the Biden administration by withholding funds. Despite McCarthy’s previous efforts to cut federal spending and negotiate with President Biden, the hardliners were unsatisfied and threatened to remove him from his position.
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) listen as U.S. President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Feb. 7, 2023. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)
Despite the challenges he faces, McCarthy has a history of overcoming obstacles. He was elected as speaker after a lengthy process, negotiated a debt ceiling deal with President Biden, and successfully passed the Limit, Save, Grow and Fiscal Responsibility Acts. He has also managed to maintain support from most House Republicans on funding levels for 2024.
The McCarthy Method
Kevin McCarthy is a skilled politician known for his ability to make deals, build relationships, and find compromises. He approaches challenges with a smile and patiently explains his positions, much like a father explaining to a child why they can’t have ice cream for dinner.
During negotiations with President Biden on raising the debt ceiling, McCarthy’s strategic skills were praised by GOP negotiators. They credited his focus, consensus-building, and ability to deliver a bill that raised the debt ceiling.
Others have commended McCarthy’s talent for connecting with individual members of Congress and maintaining regular communication with the ideological caucuses in the House. His collaborative leadership style has garnered praise from Capitol Hill staffers.
However, McCarthy’s soft approach sometimes leads to underestimation of his leadership abilities. He is keenly aware of this and has proven his critics wrong on multiple occasions.
When faced with threats to remove him from his leadership position, McCarthy boldly confronted his opponents, showing no fear. He has also skillfully positioned opponents of military spending bills as unsupportive of U.S. troops, using strategic messaging to rally support.
U.S. House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) listens to floor proceedings in the House Chamber during the fourth day of elections for Speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington on Jan. 6, 2023. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Despite the challenges he currently faces, McCarthy has indicated that he may resort to a short-term continuing resolution to buy more time for the appropriations process. However, passing a continuing resolution is not the preferred option for Republicans, who aim to avoid a repeat of the forced omnibus appropriations bill from last year.
As the clock ticks down to the end of the fiscal year, McCarthy’s leadership and strategic abilities will be put to the test. The House and Senate must find a compromise on appropriations, and McCarthy must navigate the competing interests within his own party. Whether he can successfully guide the process and prevent a government shutdown remains to be seen.
Jackson Richman and Joseph Lord contributed to this report.
How has McCarthy been able to build relationships with moderate Republicans and Democrats despite his staunch conservative beliefs?
Als across the political spectrum. Despite being a staunch conservative, McCarthy has been able to build relationships with moderate Republicans and even some Democrats, allowing him to navigate the complex landscape of Washington politics.
This ability to build consensus and find common ground will be crucial as McCarthy faces the challenge of appeasing both the hardline Republicans within his party and the bipartisan coalition in the Senate. He will need to use his strategic maneuvering to find a balance that can satisfy both sides and avoid a government shutdown.
However, McCarthy’s success may also depend on his willingness to play hardball politics when necessary. Throughout his tenure as speaker, McCarthy has shown a willingness to make tough decisions and take bold actions. This may be necessary as he deals with members of his own party who are threatening to remove him from his leadership position.
In recent weeks, McCarthy has been actively working to prevent a government shutdown and pass the necessary appropriations bills.
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