Read previewAfter four months of failed votes, retirements, and shrinking the party's already-narrow majority, House Republicans are feeling the harsh effects of ousting then-Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy from his leadership role in October 2023.
Before obtaining the speakership, his highest leadership experience came from his nearly three years as the vice chair of the House Republican Conference, where he had scant experience raising money and campaigning for other Republicans.
Because of this narrower majority, Johnson has an increasingly difficult job getting House Republicans to vote in lockstep — practically the only way the conference can pass legislation without relying on Democratic votes.
McCarthy also had ample experience fundraising and propping up trailing candidates, attributes that could've helped New York special election candidate Mazi Pilip on Tuesday.
AdvertisementOr as one House Republican put it bluntly earlier in February: "Getting rid of Speaker McCarthy has officially turned into an unmitigated disaster."
Persons:
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Organizations:
Service, Republicans, Republican, GOP, Business, House Republican Conference, Democratic Party, Democratic, Trump, House GOP
Locations:
New York