Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona has officially confirmed his intention to challenge Rep. Kevin McCarthy to become the next Speaker of the House as Republicans are all but certain to win the required seats.
Speaking to Jenn Pellegrino on “Prime News” on Monday, Biggs confirmed that he will be nominated today, though he hinted at a courteous internal campaign against McCarthy.
“We have a new paradigm here, and I think the country wants a different direction from the House of Representatives,” Biggs told Pellegrino. “And it’s a new world.”
“And yes, I’m going to be nominated tomorrow to the position of Speaker of the House,” he revealed. “We’ll see if we can get the job done with the votes. It’s going to be tough.”
Watch an excerpt of the interview on Spreely.video:
“I mean, Kevin has raised a lot of money and done a lot of things, but this is not just about Kevin,” Biggs insisted. “I think it’s about institutional direction and trajectory, and that’s where we’re where we’re going to see if we have enough people who agree that we need to change the trajectory of this place and open it up.”
He explained that he’s running to “open it up” for House Republicans to “actually represent the constituency in a more open and transparent manner.”
Pellegrino, taken aback by Biggs’ statement, asked if he “just announced” his push to become Speaker of the House.
Biggs replied, “Yeah, I guess, I guess I did. Kinda. So there you have it”
Though Biggs, who became Chair of the House Freedom Caucus in 2019, hinted that it may be difficult to beat McCarthy for the gig, it was recently claimed that McCarthy does not have the votes to avoid a contest altogether.
Former Trump administration official Russ Vought told Rep. Matt Gaetz, a vocal opponent of McCarthy, that his plan to hold the vote so early is “incredibly disrespectful” and “presumptuous” because “he knows he doesn’t have the votes.”
.@RussVought on McCarthy’s "Transition Team”:
“It is incredibly disrespectful to his members to be that presumptuous when he knows he doesn't have the votes to be Speaker of the House.
It should offend members of Congress who have a vote on this."https://t.co/9kxDo7KhFJ pic.twitter.com/5yEasrt7k4
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) November 11, 2022
“I think it’s incredibly disrespectful to his members, to be able to be that presumptuous when he knows he doesn’t have the votes,” said Vought.
“We know he doesn’t have the votes,” he added. “We don’t even know what the majority is.”
Chuckles47
November 15, 2022 at 11:27 am
keben mcCarthy is praying for a return to the communist leaning days of CONSERVATIVE REPRESSION that existed before President Trump showed up.You can learn everything you need to know by watching the “Tucker Carlson today” episode where he interviewed former CONSERVATIVE Rep Steve King.
King was THE CONSERVATIVE that was upsetting the boehnor/ryan/mcCarthy left pushing (r).
The nyt printed a hit piece on Steve that was full of LIES and NON-quotes he never made.
mcCarthy gave Steve ONE HOUR, in the middle of the night to prove he was innocent, then STRIPPED ALL HIS COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS AND CHAIRMANSHIPS effectively MURDERING HIS POLITICAL CAREER.
Joe Stalin would have been proud!
Drosack
November 15, 2022 at 12:14 pm
A lot of dead useless weight.
Bill
November 15, 2022 at 12:27 pm
I don’t have a vote but I’ve become aware of Jim Jordan as the type of person I’d like to see in that position. He has shown many times to be a person of great integrity and intestinal fortitude.
WHWIV
Dawn C Lynge-Pruden
November 15, 2022 at 2:57 pm
Yes and I thought Steve Scalise was going to throw his hat into the ring, but OMG YES! I wish Jim Jordon could be the REAL nominee
Paul
November 15, 2022 at 1:12 pm
get rid of Mitch as well and serve his lapdogs notice that they work for the American people.
Crossram
November 15, 2022 at 1:18 pm
It’s about time Republicans get some new leadership McConnell and McCarthy are Rino’s they will vote just like the Democrats.
dlmstl
November 15, 2022 at 1:23 pm
It’s a two way street, Dems need to purge their ossified, geriatric leadership cabal, including The Wadler, Gerold Nadler! Look at the sorry lot the Reps have had: Hastert (convicted child abuser), Boehner aka.The Weeper and Mr Rino. Ryan, Swamp Crittersall!!
Juan
November 15, 2022 at 1:27 pm
McCarthy, McConnell and Graham are all do nothings, a bunch of RINOS that bend over backwards for the Communist Democrats. They are three of the worst Republicans that must be voted out for good.
Grayfox41
November 15, 2022 at 3:45 pm
on the one hand I would like to see Jim Jordan as House Speaker. One the other hand, Congressman Jordan would be, in my opinion, a very effective chairman of an investigative committee. Definitely, I do not feel that McCarthy will be a very effective republican leader going forward.
Danko
November 15, 2022 at 3:58 pm
Put Trump as speaker impeach biden and harris and bada boom bada bing Trump would be president.
CWII-BRINGIT
November 15, 2022 at 7:35 pm
Regardless of the case made to impeach Biden and Harris, the Democrat Senators would break their impartiality oath and NOT convict, just like they did with Billy Clinton. Those Democrats got away with it whereas they should have been ARRESTED, charged with criminal activity and thrown in JAIL. Because they were not, they have become even more evil and criminal.
James Nice
November 16, 2022 at 1:11 am
Once everything shakes out, no matter who is left, it’s important for the Republican party to remember this. Anyone who isn’t willing to adopt the MAGA agenda will simply be opening the door for a blue wave in 2024. It would also be useful to include a plan for green energy while ensuring that we don’t suffer while getting there.