US House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy pledges to tackle immigration, ‘wake up’ education policy and IRS funding
Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) addresses the House for the first time after being elected Speaker of the United States House of Representatives in the 15th round of late-night voting on the fourth day of the 118th Congress at the Capitol. United States in Washington, USA, January 7, 2023.
Jon Cherry | Reuters
New Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy spoke before the meeting after a bitter weeklong battle within his own party, promising to implement a conservative, America First agenda, addressing the immigration crisis at the border. world, cut funding to the IRS and tackle “the awakening indoctrination in our government”. schools.”
After 14 failed votes since Tuesday, the California Republican Party was able to overcome the opposition after making extraordinary concessions to a small group of far-rights who refused to support the show’s bid. his fake.
McCarthy outlined an ambitious plan when speaking to the 118th session of Congress early Saturday morning, saying he wanted to “check and provide some balance” to the President. by Joe Biden policy. He said the first law he plans to address would be to repeal funding for more than 87,000 new IRS agents. He stressed immigration reform as a top priority, saying the Republican-controlled House will hold some of the first hearings of the year at the southern border.
“This crisis of safety and sovereignty cannot be ignored any longer,” he said. “We must protect our borders.”
Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) hammered the Speaker for the first time after being elected as the next Speaker of the United States House of Representatives during the 15th round of late night voting on Wednesday of the 118th Congress in United States Capitol in Washington, USA, January 7, 2023.
Evelyn Hockstein | Reuters
McCarthy announced he would pass bills addressing “urgent” domestic issues with an America first approach. In addition to immigration, he said he wants to address “America Last” energy policies and “wake up the upbringing” in schools, noting that children are a priority and should be taught to “dream big”.
He added that he would also plan to address long-term challenges such as debt and the Chinese Communist Party, while reaffirming his commitment to law enforcement and criminal prosecution.
McCarthy said the intense confrontation in the House of Representatives this week was proof that he was not one to give up easily.
“You know – my dad always told me: It’s not how you start, it’s how you end,” he said. “And now we need a strong end for the American people.”
Although his election marked the end of a long week in Washington, McCarthy said it was also a new beginning for the nation.
Elected members of the Republican Party celebrate as House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on January 7 2023 in Washington, DC.
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Biden congratulated McCarthy on his election as Speaker of the House in a statement released just before 1 a.m. ET.
“Jill and I congratulate Kevin McCarthy on being elected Speaker of the House,” Biden said. “I am willing to work with Republicans when possible, and voters have made it clear that they expect Republicans to be willing to work with me as well,” he added.
Other Democratic leaders were less congratulatory after McCarthy’s win.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y., said in a tweet Saturday that Speaker McCarthy’s dream job could turn into a nightmare for the American people.
House Democrat Cori Bush of Missouri said the GOP elected a speaker who triggered the violent uprising on the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
“McCarthy sold his hammer as cheaply as he sold our democracy — to white supremacists,” she said. in a Saturday tweet. “That’s not leadership.”
During an early Saturday morning press conference, McCarthy thanked the former President Donald Trump for his support and said he played a key role in securing the final votes McCarthy needed.
“I don’t think he should, anyone should doubt his influence,” McCarthy said. “He was with me from the beginning.”
Trump has publicly voiced support for McCarthy on his Truth Social Saturday social media platform. The former president said Republicans have come together and it’s “a great thing to see.”
“The ‘Speaker’ selection process, as crazy as it may seem, has made it much larger and more important than if done in a more conventional way,” he said. “Congratulations to Kevin McCarthy and our GREAT Republican Party!”
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell also shared his support for McCarthy on Saturday, said in a tweet that Republicans in the Senate look forward to working with him.
McCarthy’s first job as speaker was to take the oath of office in front of 433 other members of Congress, who have been in limbo as member-elect since Tuesday, when the General Assembly took place. 118th opening for the first time. After all the new members were sworn in, the House passed a new package of rules that McCarthy negotiated with hardline Republicans.
McCarthy said negotiations were difficult due to the disparity among the majority parties, but his victory showed Republicans could work together.
“I think what you’ll see when you have this now, we’ve figured out how to work together,” he said.
– CNBC Christina Wilki contributed to this report
