Freedom Caucus jockeys for leadership
Conservative bloc’s support is essential
Conservative bloc may back McCarthy for speaker in exchange for a top spot
WASHINGTON – The House Freedom Caucus may be willing to support Rep. Kevin McCarthy for speaker — if the California Republican agrees to help one of its members become House majority leader or GOP whip.
Freedom Caucus members said they would like McCarthy, or whoever runs for speaker, to endorse a strong conservative for a top leadership position in the next Congress. That could help sway Freedom Caucus members to support McCarthy’s anticipated bid to become the next speaker, according to two sources close to the conservative faction.
McCarthy is likely to woo the influential conservative bloc as he quietly builds support to replace retiring House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis.
Members of the Freedom Caucus intend to spell out this request to McCarthy in the coming days.
The sources declined to speak on the record because they did not want to publicly disclose sensitive negotiations. McCarthy’s office declined to comment.
Ryan plans to retire at the end of the year.
McCarthy, the House majority leader, is the front-runner to take the top slot in the next Congress if Republicans hold their majority.
Officially, the entire conference votes to decide who gets leadership positions, but having the endorsement of the speaker gives candidates a leg up.
The next speaker must get 218 votes in a roll-call vote on the House floor, which means a GOP candidate cannot lose the 30-plus Freedom Caucus members. Part of the group’s power is its ability to vote — or withhold votes — as a bloc.
Freedom Caucus opposition is a problem McCarthy knows well. The California Republican ran for speaker in 2015 but had to pull out of the race at the last minute after it became clear he didn’t have enough conservative support locked up.
McCarthy has not publicly said he’s running, but Ryan endorsed McCarthy to become his successor.
Another possible contender, Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., the GOP whip, said Friday that if McCarthy declares his bid for the speaker’s post, Scalise will back him.
Scalise could jump into the fray if it becomes clear that McCarthy cannot muster enough support.
Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, a founder of the Freedom Caucus, said he is considering a run. Though Jordan is a long shot for the post, he could take away enough conservative votes to hurt McCarthy’s chances.
As this jockeying unfolds behind the scenes, the Freedom Caucus uses its clout to outline demands.
Freedom Caucus members have not publicly outlined what they would like in exchange for their votes. But Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., who chairs the group, told USA TODAY he would like to see some conservatives given chairmanships, as well as plum committee assignments. He’d also like a promise to tackle “a very broad range” of issues, including immigration, the deficit and deregulation.
All the negotiations could be upended if Republicans lose the House in the 2018 midterm elections.
The minority leader position simply requires the votes from a majority of the party conference, which would take away much of the Freedom Caucus’ clout.
Democrats expect they’ll have a strong chance at winning a majority, and they are similarly maneuvering for leadership positions in case that happens.
The next speaker must get 218 votes in a roll-call vote on the House floor, which means a GOP candidate cannot lose the 30-plus Freedom Caucus members.