House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is confident in gaining enough support from Democrats to pass a 45-day stopgap spending measure in the lower chamber. However, many conservative Republicans, including members of the Freedom Caucus, voted against the bill, sparking concerns of a potential revolt against McCarthy’s speakership. Despite this, McCarthy remains unfazed and believes he will weather any storm caused by Republicans who are disappointed with the delayed appropriation spending bills.
McCarthy challenged the notion that bills can only pass with support from one party, emphasizing the need for Republicans and Democrats to work together for the greater good of the country. He expressed his willingness to govern in the best interest of America and welcomed any motion against him, asserting the need for an adult in the room.
Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Florida Republican, suggested that McCarthy’s speakership is on shaky ground due to his failure to pass twelve spending measures. However, Gaetz has not yet taken action to oust McCarthy from the speakership. Gaetz criticized McCarthy for the delay in passing the spending bills, arguing that being the adult in the room would have involved dealing with them earlier in the year instead of taking a recess in August.
McCarthy responded by referencing Gaetz’s opposition to his speakership in January and the delays he caused during the speaker’s race. Despite the challenges, McCarthy emerged victorious and accused those who voted against him of hindering conservative progress. The bill to extend current government funding for 45 days passed in the House with a 335-91 vote, all of the no votes coming from House Republicans.
The bill was hotlined to the Senate for an immediate vote.
