‘I’d Give Him An ‘A”: McCarthy Earns High Praise For His Tenure So Far From Republicans Who Opposed His Speakership

Republican Reps. Gaetz and Biggs Praise McCarthy’s Tenure as Speaker

Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has earned high praise from two members of his caucus who held up his bid to become Speaker. Republican Reps. Matt Gaetz (FL) and Andy Biggs (AZ) praised McCarthy’s tenure as Speaker so far, despite their previous opposition to his bid for the Speakership.

Gaetz Gives McCarthy an “A”

“I’d give him an ‘A,’” Gaetz told CNN Chief Congressional Correspondent Manu Raju, according to a tweet from the reporter. “I don’t give it lightly. I think he’s done a good job.”

Biggs Says McCarthy is Doing Better Than Expected

“I think he’s doing better than expected,” Biggs added.

The praise from the two members comes just one day after both members voted against McCarthy’s plan to temporarily raise the debt ceiling. Despite some opposition from within his own party, McCarthy has gained support for his debt ceiling plan from the other side of the aisle. Moderate Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) recently called on the Biden administration to negotiate with McCarthy.

Gaetz and Biggs Explain Their Opposition to McCarthy’s Debt Ceiling Plan

Gaetz and Biggs joined Reps. Tim Burchett (R-TN) and Ken Buck (R-CO) in voting against the “Limit, Save Grow Act of 2023,” which would suspend the debt limit until it rises by $1.5 trillion or until March 31, 2024 — whichever comes first — in exchange for a host of spending cuts.

• Gaetz’s office said in a statement: “As our nation is careening into a $32 trillion debt, Congress shouldn’t be making final changes at 2 a.m. — the morning of the vote — to legislation raising the debt limit $1.5 trillion.”
• Biggs faulted the legislation for not reducing the national debt and failing to be more “aggressive” in spending. He said federal spending should at the very least be returned to fiscal year 2019, pre-COVID pandemic levels — as opposed to 2022 levels outlined in the bill.

“Our national debt is a top national security threat. I have never voted to raise the debt ceiling in my time in Congress – even while President Trump was in the Oval Office — and didn’t today for the same reasons,” Biggs said in a statement. “We owe the American people and our future generations sound and responsible fiscal policy. Increasing the national debt to ‘only’ $47 trillion over ten years — an increase of over $14 trillion from today — is misguided and perpetuates Washington’s spending problem.”

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