Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., says he will retire from the House of Representatives at the end of this year, departing before the end of his term.
McCarthy announced his plans in an essay published in the Wall Street Journal.
“No matter the odds, or personal cost, we did the right thing,” McCarthy wrote. “That may seem out of fashion in Washington these days, but delivering results for the American people is still celebrated across the country. It is in this spirit that I have decided to depart the House at the end of this year to serve America in new ways. I know my work is only getting started.”
McCarthy was removed as speaker earlier this year in a rare vote of the House on a Motion to Vacate the Chair. His ouster led to a three-week debacle where Washington was paralyzed as the House was unable to function as the Republican conference struggled to reach consensus on a new leader.
McCarthy’s departure shrinks the Republican majority and could increase the chances of a government shutdown
With McCarthy’s resignation and the recent ouster of Rep. George Santos (R-NY), Speaker Mike Johnson’s wafer-thin majority continues to shrink.
Republicans will have just a three-vote majority to pass key legislation after McCarthy’s departure, including two government funding deadlines.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday that the state will hold a special election to fill Santos’ seat on February 13, 2024. California will also need to hold a special election to replace McCarthy, a process that could take weeks.
With the expulsion of George Santos from Congress, I am declaring a special election on February 13, 2024 to fill the vacancy and ensure continued representation for the residents of the Third…
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