As the Republican Party is now gearing up for a change at the helm after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) was ousted from his leadership position, Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) shared his thoughts on the matter during an interview on “America Reports.” The Louisiana lawmaker pointed to the next steps he thinks the House should take after McCarthy’s successor has been chosen.
“Even on a good day, most Americans look at Washington, D.C. and they ask themselves, ‘How did these people make it through the birth canal?’ That’s on a good day, and I understand that. I don’t want to underestimate or overestimate what happened in the House yesterday. The House decided to change leadership. That’s alright,” Kennedy remarked.
Acknowledging McCarthy’s selfless act in removing himself from the running for speakership, Kennedy emphasized the need to focus on the important tasks at hand. He outlined four critical priorities that the new House leader should address.
“Once we have a new leader in the House, we need to concentrate on four things. Number one, the budget. We’ve got to get a budget passed. Number two, inflation. Inflation is falling, but that’s not going to solve the problem of high prices because the high prices aren’t falling. Number three, the border. Number four, crime,” he stated.
In this period of transition, House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) have emerged as the first two candidates in the race to succeed McCarthy as House Speaker.
The race to replace ousted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy took shape as Steve Scalise, the chamber's No. 2 Republican, and Jim Jordan, a leading antagonist of Democratic President Joe Biden, announced their candidacy https://t.co/DqCa7tN6fq pic.twitter.com/JDYui6aMOx
— Reuters (@Reuters) October 5, 2023
In a formal letter to his GOP colleagues, Jordan expressed his confidence in his candidacy’s strength, seeking support from fellow House Republicans.
Jordan highlighted his legislative work on immigration, oversight of the Biden administration, and his consistent advocacy for reducing government spending throughout his career. He called upon fellow Republicans to unite and offer real solutions to the challenges facing the nation.
“The problems we face are challenging, but they are not insurmountable. We can focus on the changes that improve the country and unite us in offering real solutions. But no matter what we do, we must do it together as a conference. I respectfully ask for your support for Speaker of the House of Representatives,” he wrote.
On the other hand, Steve Scalise, a seasoned leader within the House GOP, emphasized his proven ability to build consensus among different party factions. In a letter announcing his bid for the open position, Scalise acknowledged the tough road ahead but underscored the importance of unity within the Republican Conference.
“As I face new challenges, I feel even more strongly about that today, I know the coming weeks ahead will be some of the most arduous times we will face together, but this Conference is worth fighting for — we cannot lose sight of our shared mission,” he stated.
When asked about Scalise and Jordan’s candidacy for his former position, McCarthy, who has promised not to attempt to regain his former position, responded positively, stating, “They’re two good friends. Both would do great jobs.”
