Kevin McCarthy

McCarthy was born on January 26, 1965, in Bakersfield, California.{{Cite web|title=McCarthy, Kevin|url=https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/m001165|access-date=April 25, 2021|website=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress|archive-date=January 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108035510/https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/M001165|url-status=live}} He is the son of Owen McCarthy{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/house-minority-leader-mccarthy-my-dad-was-a-fireman-this-is-the-greatest-lesson-he-taught-me|title=House Minority Leader McCarthy: My dad was a fireman. This is the greatest lesson he taught me|first=Kevin|last=McCarthy|date=June 15, 2019|publisher=Fox News|access-date=June 18, 2019|archive-date=February 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228043631/https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/house-minority-leader-mccarthy-my-dad-was-a-fireman-this-is-the-greatest-lesson-he-taught-me|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2QR-ZC2|title=Person Details for Owen Mccarthy, 'California Birth Index, 1905–1995'|work=familysearch.org|access-date=July 1, 2016|archive-date=August 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807033321/https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2QR-ZC2|url-status=live}} an assistant city fire chief,{{cite web |first=Lisa |last=Kimble |date=December 26, 2014 |title=Feature: Bakersfield and America's happy Republican |work=BakersfieldLife |url=http://www.bakersfieldlife.com/features/x34743031/Feature-Bakersfield-and-Americas-happy-Republican |access-date=May 9, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518073114/http://www.bakersfieldlife.com/features/x34743031/Feature-Bakersfield-and-Americas-happy-Republican |archive-date=May 18, 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VGDR-51S|title=Person Details for Kevin O McCarthy, 'California Birth Index, 1905–1995'|work=familysearch.org|access-date=May 9, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304200446/https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VGDR-51S|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/08/politics/kevin-mccarthy-view-from-home/index.html|title=Kevin McCarthy, the view from home|website=CNN|date=January 8, 2023|author=Kyung Lah|access-date=January 8, 2023|archive-date=January 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127191649/https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/08/politics/kevin-mccarthy-view-from-home/index.html|url-status=live}}

and Roberta Darlene (née Palladino),{{cite web|url=https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VGXZ-3KX|title=Person Details for Roberta Darlene Palladino, 'California Birth Index, 1905–1995'|work=familysearch.org|access-date=July 1, 2016|archive-date=August 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807044729/https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VGXZ-3KX|url-status=live}} a homemaker. McCarthy is a fourth-generation resident of Kern County. His maternal grandfather was an Italian immigrant.{{cite tweet|number=1185180328954073090|user=GOPLeader|title=My grandfather on my mother's side came from Italy to America through Ellis Island in April of 1921. Less than a hundred years later, humbled to be shaking hands with the President of Italy from inside the U.S. Capitol. |date=October 18, 2019}} McCarthy is the first Republican in his immediate family, as his parents were members of the Democratic Party.{{cite interview |last=McCarthy |first=Kevin |interviewer=Chris Wallace |title=Kevin McCarthy talks Iraq, future of the GOP; latest on IRS scandal |url=http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/fox-news-sunday-chris-wallace/2014/06/22/kevin-mccarthy-talks-iraq-future-gop-latest-irs-scandal#p//v/3636380372001 |location=Washington, D.C. |date=June 22, 2014 |work=Fox News Sunday |access-date=June 23, 2014 |archive-date=November 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113185108/http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/fox-news-sunday-chris-wallace/2014/06/22/kevin-mccarthy-talks-iraq-future-gop-latest-irs-scandal#p//v/3636380372001 |url-status=live}} He attended Bakersfield High School, where he played on the football team, from 1979 to 1983.{{cite news |last1=lforeman@bakersfield.com |first1=LAUREN FOREMAN Californian staff writer |title=He was no star, but McCarthy in Hall of Fame |url=https://www.bakersfield.com/news/he-was-no-star-but-mccarthy-in-hall-of-fame/article_45b3221f-81c9-5464-97d3-c1a3c5318eff.html |work=The Bakersfield Californian |date=April 19, 2014 |language=en |access-date=June 16, 2023 |archive-date=June 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616235615/https://www.bakersfield.com/news/he-was-no-star-but-mccarthy-in-hall-of-fame/article_45b3221f-81c9-5464-97d3-c1a3c5318eff.html |url-status=live}}

In 1984, at age 19, McCarthy ran his first business selling sandwiches out of the back of his uncle's yogurt shop on Stine Road.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/06/us/politics/mccarthy-bakersfield.html|title=Far-Right Critics Vex McCarthy in His Bakersfield District, Too|website=New York Times|date=January 6, 2023|author=Jonathan Weisman|access-date=January 8, 2023|archive-date=January 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230107214752/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/06/us/politics/mccarthy-bakersfield.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2018/02/02/kevin-mccarthys-stint-as-a-small-business-entrepreneur/|title=Kevin McCarthy's stint as a small-business entrepreneur|newspaper=Washington Post|date=February 2, 2018|author=Glenn Kessler|access-date=January 8, 2023|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128041550/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2018/02/02/kevin-mccarthys-stint-as-a-small-business-entrepreneur/|url-status=live}} He was able to finance this business after winning $5,000 in the California State Lottery and subsequently investing these winnings in the stock market.{{Cite news |last=Kessler |first=Glenn |date=2021-12-07 |title=Analysis {{!}} Kevin McCarthy's stint as a small-business entrepreneur |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2018/02/02/kevin-mccarthys-stint-as-a-small-business-entrepreneur/ |access-date=2024-03-04 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}{{Cite web |date=2023-01-11 |title=3 Surprising Things About Kevin McCarthy - Washingtonian |url=https://www.washingtonian.com/2023/01/11/three-surprising-things-about-kevin-mccarthy/ |access-date=2024-03-04 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-02-28 |title=Kevin McCarthy {{!}} Biography, Family, Education, & Facts {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kevin-McCarthy-politician |access-date=2024-03-04 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}

McCarthy attended California State University, Bakersfield, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in marketing in 1989 and a Master of Business Administration in 1994.{{cite web |url=http://kevinmccarthy.house.gov/about/full-biography |title=Full Biography |website=Congressman Kevin McCarthy website |date=December 3, 2012 |publisher=U.S. House of Representatives |access-date=June 19, 2014 |archive-date=March 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319220512/http://kevinmccarthy.house.gov/about/full-biography |url-status=dead}} During college, he worked as a seasonal firefighter for the Kern County Fire Department.{{cite web |last=McCarthy |first=Kevin |title=CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CREC-2009-03-05/pdf/CREC-2009-03-05-pt1-PgE560.pdf |date=March 5, 2009 |work=US House of Representatives |access-date=January 3, 2023 |archive-date=January 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230107135506/https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CREC-2009-03-05/pdf/CREC-2009-03-05-pt1-PgE560.pdf |url-status=live}}

McCarthy served on the staff of Congressman Bill Thomas from 1987 to 2002. He chaired the California Young Republicans in 1995 and the Young Republican National Federation from 1999 to 2001.{{cite news |last=Cottle |first=Michelle |date=October 26, 2010 |title=McCarthyism |url=https://newrepublic.com/article/politics/magazine/78566/kevin-mccarthy-republican-whip-machiavelli |newspaper=New Republic |location=Washington, D.C. |publisher=Chris Hughes |access-date=June 20, 2014 |archive-date=December 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211224160702/https://newrepublic.com/article/78566/kevin-mccarthy-republican-whip-machiavelli |url-status=live}} From the late 1990s until 2000, he was Thomas's district director. McCarthy won his first election in 2000, as a Kern Community College District trustee. However, Thomas has since criticized McCarthy in numerous interviews.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/12/26/what-kevin-mccarthy-will-do-to-gain-power|title=What Kevin McCarthy Will Do to Gain Power|date=December 19, 2022|magazine=The New Yorker|access-date=December 21, 2022|archive-date=June 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622123800/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/12/26/what-kevin-mccarthy-will-do-to-gain-power|url-status=live}}

McCarthy was elected to the California State Assembly in 2002 and became the Republican floor leader in 2003.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/15/politics/gallery/kevin-mccarthy/index.html|title=Photos: Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy|date=November 15, 2022|website=CNN|access-date=October 4, 2023|archive-date=October 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004071936/https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/15/politics/gallery/kevin-mccarthy/index.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/kevin-mccarthy-house-speaker/story?id=95833706|title=What to know about Kevin McCarthy's rise and fall from power|first=Tal|last=Axelrod|website=ABC News|access-date=October 4, 2023|archive-date=October 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004023445/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/kevin-mccarthy-house-speaker/story?id=95833706|url-status=live}} In 2006, McCarthy was first elected to the United States House of Representatives as a representative for California's 22nd district.{{cite web |title=Statement of the Vote – November 2006 |url=https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/sov/2006-general/complete_sov.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020174029/http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/sov/2006-general/complete_sov.pdf |archive-date=October 20, 2014 |access-date=June 19, 2014 |publisher=California Secretary of State |page=35}} He succeeded his former boss, Bill Thomas,{{Cite news|url=https://www.bakersfield.com/news/in-interview-retired-congressman-bill-thomas-knocks-mccarthy-for-supporting-lies/article_a215a0d6-57aa-11eb-8f10-5bd247ddd73e.html|title=In interview, retired Congressman Bill Thomas knocks McCarthy for supporting 'lies'|first=Stacey|last=Shepard|newspaper=The Bakersfield Californian|date=January 15, 2021|access-date=November 19, 2022|archive-date=November 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125155747/https://www.bakersfield.com/news/in-interview-retired-congressman-bill-thomas-knocks-mccarthy-for-supporting-lies/article_a215a0d6-57aa-11eb-8f10-5bd247ddd73e.html|url-status=live}} who retired.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/08/politics/kevin-mccarthy-view-from-home/index.html|title=Kevin McCarthy, the view from home|first=Kyung|last=Lah|date=January 8, 2023|website=CNN|access-date=January 8, 2023|archive-date=January 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127191649/https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/08/politics/kevin-mccarthy-view-from-home/index.html|url-status=live}} The district was renumbered as the 23rd district in 2013,{{cite web|url=https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/sov/2012-general/sov-complete.pdf |title=Statement of Vote: November 6, 2012 General Election |publisher=California Secretary of State |access-date=June 19, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701072806/http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/sov/2012-general/sov-complete.pdf |archive-date=July 1, 2014}}{{better source needed|date=October 2023}} and again as the 20th district in 2023.{{Cite news |date=November 8, 2022 |title=California 20th Congressional District Election Results |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/11/08/us/elections/results-california-us-house-district-20.html |access-date=November 22, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=March 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328233736/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/11/08/us/elections/results-california-us-house-district-20.html |url-status=live}}{{better source needed|date=October 2023}}

• Committee on Financial Services
• Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government-Sponsored Enterprises
• Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit

Caucus memberships

• Congressional Western Caucus{{cite web|title=Members|url=https://westerncaucus.house.gov/about/membership.htm|publisher=Congressional Western Caucus|access-date=June 25, 2018|archive-date=May 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502203316/https://westerncaucus.house.gov/about/membership.htm|url-status=live}}

• House Republican steering committee
• House Republican Chief Deputy Whip, 2009–2011
• House Majority Whip, 2011–2014
• House Majority Leader, 2014–2019
• House Minority Leader, 2019–2023
• Speaker of the House, January to October 2023

As a freshman congressman, McCarthy was appointed to the Republican Steering committee. Republican leader John Boehner appointed him chair of the Republican platform committee during the committee's meetings in Minneapolis in August 2008, which produced the Republican Party Platform for 2008. He was also one of the three founding members of the GOP Young Guns Program.{{cite web |url=http://www.gopyoungguns.com/about/ |title=Young Guns – About |author= |website=gopyoungguns.com/ |publisher=National Republican Congressional Committee |access-date=June 19, 2014 |archive-date=August 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815141813/https://www.gopyoungguns.com/about/ |url-status=live}} After the 2008 elections, he was chosen as chief deputy minority whip, the highest-ranking appointed position in the House Republican Conference. His predecessor, Eric Cantor, was named minority whip. McCarthy helped recruit candidates associated with the Tea Party movement in the 2010 U.S. House elections.{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/10/05/mccarthy-trump-speaker-removed-tea-party/|title=McCarthy thought he could harness forces of disruption. Instead they devoured him.|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=October 5, 2023|first1=Paul|last1=Kane|quote=As far back as 2009, the future House speaker tried to channel the anti-politician, tea party wave building into a political force, but the movement crushed him.}}

File:KMcCarthy.jpgOn November 17, 2010, the House Republican Conference selected McCarthy to be the House majority whip in the 112th Congress. In this post, he was the third-ranking House Republican, behind Speaker John Boehner and majority leader Eric Cantor.

In August 2011, McCarthy and Cantor led a group of 30 Republican members of Congress to Israel, where some members took part in a late-night swim in the Sea of Galilee, including one member—Kevin Yoder—who swam nude.Dana Bash & Deirdre Walsh, [http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/08/20/gop-lawmakers-reprimanded-after-swim-in-sea-of-galilee/ GOP lawmakers reprimanded after swim in Sea of Galilee] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128032457/https://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/08/20/gop-lawmakers-reprimanded-after-swim-in-sea-of-galilee/ |date=November 28, 2020}}, CNN (August 20, 2012). When McCarthy and Cantor later found out about the swim, they were "furious" and worried about negative news coverage, and "called a members-only meeting the next morning to reprimand the group—both those who swam and those who abstained".

In 2012, McCarthy's office reported spending $99,000 on pastries, bottled water, and other food items, making him the highest-spending member of the House in this category.{{Cite news |last=Schwab |first=Nikki |date=June 13, 2014 |title=McCarthy's Doughnut Habit Bites Back |work=U.S. News & World Report |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/washington-whispers/2014/06/13/kevin-mccarthys-expensive-doughnut-habit-comes-back-to-bite-him |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140613220028/https://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/washington-whispers/2014/06/13/kevin-mccarthys-expensive-doughnut-habit-comes-back-to-bite-him |archive-date=June 13, 2014}}

Cantor lost the June 2014 primary for his seat in Congress and announced he would step down from House leadership at the end of July. McCarthy sought to succeed Cantor, and, after some speculation that Pete Sessions and Jeb Hensarling would challenge him, both dropped out, leaving McCarthy a clear path to become majority leader.{{cite news|url=http://blogs.rollcall.com/218/petesessions-drops-out-of-majority-leader-race/?dcz=|title=Pete Sessions Drops Out of Majority Leader Race, Clearing Way for Kevin McCarthy|last=Fuller|first=Matt|date=June 12, 2014|work=Roll Call|access-date=June 13, 2014|archive-date=June 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140613125833/http://blogs.rollcall.com/218/petesessions-drops-out-of-majority-leader-race/?dcz=|url-status=dead}} On June 13, representative Raul Labrador announced he would also seek the leadership position.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-congress-cantor-labrador-idUSKBN0EO21820140613|title=Republican Rep. Labrador running for House majority leader post|last=Cornwell|first=Susan|date=June 13, 2014|publisher=Reuters|access-date=June 17, 2014|archive-date=June 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140616151241/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/06/13/us-usa-congress-cantor-labrador-idUSKBN0EO21820140613|url-status=live}} On June 19, the Republican Conference elected McCarthy majority leader.{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2014/06/eric-cantor-to-step-down-as-majority-leader-107732.html|title=Eric Cantor to leave leadership post|date=June 11, 2014|work=Politico|access-date=June 14, 2014|archive-date=December 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222161515/http://www.politico.com/story/2014/06/eric-cantor-to-step-down-as-majority-leader-107732.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-0620-mccarthy-20140620-story.html|title=Can Kevin McCarthy instill a California mind-set in his House GOP colleagues?|newspaper=The Los Angeles Times|date=June 20, 2014|access-date=February 18, 2020|archive-date=August 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180824113951/http://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-0620-mccarthy-20140620-story.html|url-status=live}}

According to the University of Minnesota's Humphrey School of Public Affairs, McCarthy is the least-tenured majority leader in the history of the House of Representatives. When he assumed the position in July 2014, he had served only seven years, six months and 29 days, the least experience of any floor leader in the House's history by more than a year.{{cite web |last=Bobic |first=Igor |date=June 20, 2014 |title=Kevin McCarthy Is The Least Tenured House Majority Leader Ever |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/20/kevin-mccarthy-tenured_n_5514788.html |website=The Huffington Post |access-date=June 24, 2014 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303174428/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/20/kevin-mccarthy-tenured_n_5514788.html |url-status=live}}File:RR Centennial Celebration.jpg, Condoleezza Rice and McCarthy in Prague, Czech Republic, 2011]]McCarthy kept four of his predecessor's staff members on his staff when he took over as majority leader, including deputy chief of staff Neil Bradley, who now has served in that role for three majority leaders.{{cite web|last1=Dumain|first1=Emma|title=Majority Leader-Elect McCarthy Inherits Top Cantor Aides|url=http://blogs.rollcall.com/218/kevin-mccarthy-staff-neil-bradley/?dcz=|website=Roll Call |access-date=August 4, 2014|archive-date=June 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150604085419/http://blogs.rollcall.com/218/kevin-mccarthy-staff-neil-bradley/?dcz=|url-status=dead}}

McCarthy has been under fire for avoiding meetings and town-hall events with constituents in his congressional district for years.Carol Ferguson, [http://bakersfieldnow.com/news/local/local-voters-call-for-town-hall-meeting-with-rep-mccarthy Voters call for town hall meeting with Rep. McCarthy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929234351/https://bakersfieldnow.com/news/local/local-voters-call-for-town-hall-meeting-with-rep-mccarthy |date=September 29, 2020}}, KBAK/KBFX (February 21, 2017).Chloe Nordquist, [http://www.turnto23.com/news/local-news/protesters-gather-outside-hotel-where-congressman-kevin-mccarthy-was-set-to-speakat-a-gop-dinner Protesters gather outside hotel where Congressman Kevin McCarthy was set to speak at a GOP dinner] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922211456/https://www.turnto23.com/news/local-news/protesters-gather-outside-hotel-where-congressman-kevin-mccarthy-was-set-to-speakat-a-gop-dinner |date=September 22, 2018}}, (February 21, 2017).Steven Meyer, [http://www.fresnobee.com/news/politics-government/politics-columns-blogs/political-notebook/article134332789.html McCarthy, Nunes come under fire for attending fundraiser, not town halls] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922173336/https://www.fresnobee.com/news/politics-government/politics-columns-blogs/political-notebook/article134332789.html |date=September 22, 2018}}, The Sacramento Bee (February 21, 2017). His last town hall was in June 2010.{{Cite web|url=https://www.c-span.org/video/?293842-1/representative-mccarthy-town-hall-meeting|title=Representative McCarthy Town Hall Meeting|publisher=C-SPAN|access-date=May 31, 2018|archive-date=September 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922135829/https://www.c-span.org/video/?293842-1/representative-mccarthy-town-hall-meeting|url-status=live}} He has opted for screened telephone calls since.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFw-EBl1tlE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/KFw-EBl1tlE |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Congressman Kevin McCarthy talks healthcare, town hall, Trump's wiretapping allegations|date=March 16, 2017 |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}

In December 2017, McCarthy voted for the House Republican tax legislation.{{cite web|last1=Almukhtar|first1=Sarah|title=How Each House Member Voted on the Tax Bill|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/12/19/us/politics/tax-bill-house-live-vote.html?_r=1|website=The New York Times|access-date=January 2, 2018|date=December 19, 2017|archive-date=December 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227122506/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/12/19/us/politics/tax-bill-house-live-vote.html?_r=1|url-status=live}} After the vote, he asked his constituents to "Come February, check your check, because that will be the pay raise of the vote for Donald Trump."{{cite web|title=President Trump signs tax reform bill into law|url=https://www.watchdog.org/national/president-trump-signs-tax-reform-bill-into-law/article_1a0279ce-e734-11e7-8c25-ffb6b3cb669a.html|website=Watchdog News|date=December 22, 2017|access-date=January 2, 2018|language=en|archive-date=September 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924114318/https://www.watchdog.org/national/president-trump-signs-tax-reform-bill-into-law/article_1a0279ce-e734-11e7-8c25-ffb6b3cb669a.html|url-status=live}}

An October 2018 investigation documented how William "Bill" Wages, of McCarthy's brother-in-law's company Vortex Construction, has received $7.6 million since 2000 in no-bid and other prime federal contracts as a minority business (a claim that has been disputed). The work was mostly for construction projects at the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake in McCarthy's Bakersfield-based district, and Naval Air Station Lemoore in California's Kings County.{{cite web |last1=Pringle |first1=Paul |title=House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy's family benefited from U.S. program for minorities based on disputed ancestry |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-na-pol-mccarthy-contracts-20181014-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |date=October 14, 2018 |access-date=November 19, 2020 |archive-date=August 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804221829/https://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-na-pol-mccarthy-contracts-20181014-story.html |url-status=live}}

{{see also|October 2015 Speaker of the United States House of Representatives election}}

On September 25, 2015, John Boehner decided to resign as speaker effective October 30, 2015. Many media outlets speculated that McCarthy would likely replace him,{{cite news|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/09/john-boehner-will-resign-as-speaker/407374/|title=John Boehner to Resign as House Speaker|first=Russell|last=Berman|work=The Atlantic|access-date=March 8, 2017|archive-date=December 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222091032/https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/09/john-boehner-will-resign-as-speaker/407374/|url-status=live}} and Boehner himself said that McCarthy "would make an excellent speaker".{{cite news |first=Elahe |last=Izadi |date=September 25, 2015 |title=Boehner: McCarthy would make excellent speaker |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics-live/liveblog/house-speaker-john-boehner-to-resign-live-updates/#0ef33d2c-bc47-43c8-8de5-d6d4040cb61c |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=September 2, 2017 |archive-date=September 29, 2015 |archive-url=http://wayback.vefsafn.is/wayback/20150929192900/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post%2Dpolitics%2Dlive/liveblog/house%2Dspeaker%2Djohn%2Dboehner%2Dto%2Dresign%2Dlive%2Dupdates/#0ef33d2c-bc47-43c8-8de5-d6d4040cb61c |url-status=live}} On September 28, McCarthy formally announced his candidacy.{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/mccarthy-in-announcing-speaker-bid-vows-no-more-governing-by-crisis/|title=McCarthy in announcing speaker bid vows no more 'governing by crisis'|publisher=Fox News|access-date=September 29, 2015|archive-date=September 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929053311/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/09/28/mccarthy-in-announcing-speaker-bid-vows-no-more-governing-by-crisis/?intcmp=hplnws|url-status=live}} Having held congressional office for less than nine years, McCarthy would have been the speaker with the least time in Congress since 1891.[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/09/28/kevin-mccarthy-would-be-the-least-experienced-house-speaker-since-1891/ Kevin McCarthy would be the least experienced House Speaker since 1891] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031101559/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/09/28/kevin-mccarthy-would-be-the-least-experienced-house-speaker-since-1891/ |date=October 31, 2020}}, Washington Post, Phillip Bump, September 28, 2015. Retrieved October 4, 2015.

In a September 29, 2015, interview with Fox News's Sean Hannity, McCarthy was asked what Republicans had accomplished in Congress. He replied by talking about the House of Representatives' special panel investigation into the 2012 Benghazi attack (in which Islamic militants attacked the American diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya). Republicans said the purpose of the government-funded committee was purely to investigate the deaths of four Americans.{{cite news |title=Kevin McCarthy And His Benghazi Gaffe Star In Hillary Clinton's New Ad "The Republicans finally admit it". |first=Amanda |last=Terkel |work=The Huffington Post |date=October 5, 2015 |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/kevin-mccarthy-hillary-clinton-benghazi_5612e53ae4b022a4ce5f1a6a |access-date=February 18, 2020 |archive-date=October 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151022092814/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/kevin-mccarthy-hillary-clinton-benghazi_5612e53ae4b022a4ce5f1a6a |url-status=live}} But McCarthy said, "Everybody thought Hillary Clinton was unbeatable, right? But we put together a Benghazi special committee, a select committee. What are her numbers today? Her numbers are dropping. Why? Because she's untrustable. But no one would have known any of that had happened had we not fought."{{cite news |title=Boehner's likely successor credits Benghazi committee for lowering Hillary Clinton's poll numbers |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=September 30, 2015 |first=David |last=Weigel |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/09/30/boehners-likely-successor-credits-benghazi-committee-for-lowering-hillary-clintons-poll-numbers/ |access-date=October 9, 2015 |archive-date=January 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180108031458/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/09/30/boehners-likely-successor-credits-benghazi-committee-for-lowering-hillary-clintons-poll-numbers/ |url-status=live}} The comment was seen as an admission that the investigation was a partisan political undertaking rather than a substantive inquiry.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/09/30/kevin-mccarthys-comments-about-benghazi-should-raise-a-red-flag-for-republicans/?postshare=9941443627166312 |title=Kevin McCarthy's comments about Benghazi should trouble Republicans |first=Chris |last=Cillizza |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=September 30, 2015 |access-date=October 9, 2015 |archive-date=October 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016191632/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/09/30/kevin-mccarthys-comments-about-benghazi-should-raise-a-red-flag-for-republicans/?postshare=9941443627166312 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Dems pile on after McCarthy comments on Hillary Clinton, Benghazi panel |newspaper=The Washington Post |first=Elisa |last=Viebeck |date=September 30, 2015}}{{cite news |title=Democrats' sweet Benghazi revenge: Kevin McCarthy's gaffe is the gift that keeps on giving |work=Salon |first=Simon |last=Maloy |date=October 6, 2015 |url=https://www.salon.com/2015/10/06/democrats_sweet_benghazi_revenge_kevin_mccarthys_gaffe_is_the_gift_that_keeps_on_giving/ |access-date=November 6, 2020 |archive-date=February 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210175555/https://www.salon.com/2015/10/06/democrats_sweet_benghazi_revenge_kevin_mccarthys_gaffe_is_the_gift_that_keeps_on_giving/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Gowdy slams McCarthy on Benghazi comments: He 'screwed up' |first=Nick |last=Gass |work=Politico |date=October 7, 2015 |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2015/10/trey-gowdy-kevin-mccarthy-wrong-benghazi-hillary-clinton-214498 |access-date=November 6, 2020 |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115154333/https://www.politico.com/story/2015/10/trey-gowdy-kevin-mccarthy-wrong-benghazi-hillary-clinton-214498 |url-status=live}} Some commentators described his remark as a classic "Kinsley gaffe" (defined as when a politician accidentally tells the truth).{{cite news|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/09/kevin-mccarthy-steps-into-a-faux-outrage/408253/|title=Kevin McCarthy Steps Into a Faux Outrage|last=Graham|first=David A.|date=September 30, 2015|work=The Atlantic|access-date=May 25, 2017|archive-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111210046/https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/09/kevin-mccarthy-steps-into-a-faux-outrage/408253/|url-status=live}} The remark was also described as "saying the quiet part loud".Elizabeth Williamson, [https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/22/us/politics/kevin-mccarthy-trump.html 'Where Is Kevin?' McCarthy Finds a Place in the Trump Camp] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201220233336/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/22/us/politics/kevin-mccarthy-trump.html |date=December 20, 2020}}, The New York Times (January 22, 2020). Several days later, McCarthy apologized for the remarks and said the Benghazi panel was not a political initiative.{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/kevin-mccarthy-abruptly-drops-house-speaker-bid-race-postponed-n441071|title=Kevin McCarthy Abruptly Drops House Speaker Bid, Race Postponed|last=Moe|first=Alex|date=October 8, 2015|publisher=NBC News|access-date=October 10, 2015|archive-date=December 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207022916/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/kevin-mccarthy-abruptly-drops-house-speaker-bid-race-postponed-n441071|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Kevin McCarthy Admits Benghazi Comment Was A Gaffe: John Boehner said it could have happened to anybody |first=Michael |last=McAuliffS |work=The Huffington Post |date=October 7, 2015 |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/kevin-mccarthy-admits-benghazi-comment-was-a-gaffe_56152b14e4b0cf9984d7c207 |access-date=February 18, 2020 |archive-date=October 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151023010158/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/kevin-mccarthy-admits-benghazi-comment-was-a-gaffe_56152b14e4b0cf9984d7c207 |url-status=live}}

On October 8, 2015, as Republicans were preparing to vote, McCarthy unexpectedly dropped out of the race, saying that Republicans needed a fresh face who could unite the caucus and "I am not that guy."{{cite news|author=Jennifer Steinhauer & David M. Herszenhorn|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/09/us/politics/house-speaker-vote.html|title=Kevin McCarthy Withdraws From Speaker's Race, Putting House in Chaos|date=October 8, 2015|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 10, 2015|archive-date=December 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201206094732/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/09/us/politics/house-speaker-vote.html|url-status=live}} He reportedly dropped out after concluding that he did not have the 218 votes that would be required to be elected speaker. McCarthy remained majority leader. The Benghazi gaffe contributed to his decision to withdraw from the race, as McCarthy acknowledged in announcing his withdrawal. Previously, Representative Walter B. Jones Jr. had sent a letter to the Republican Conference Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers stating that any candidates for a leadership position with "misdeeds" should withdraw from the race. Jones has said that his comment did not specifically refer to McCarthy.{{cite news |url=http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/congress/article38272434.html |title=Rep. Walter Jones' letter clouds McCarthy's leadership withdrawal |first1=Michael |last1=Doyle |first2=Maria |last2=Recio |publisher=McClatchy DC |date=October 8, 2015 |access-date=October 10, 2015 |archive-date=February 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222120928/https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/congress/article38272434.html |url-status=live}}

Paul Ryan instead won the 2015 election and became speaker from 2015 to 2019.

File:Kevin McCarthy, official photo, 116th Congress (1).jpg

After the Republicans lost their majority in the 2018 elections, McCarthy was elected Minority Leader, fending off a challenge to his right from Jim Jordan of Ohio, 159–43. While as majority leader he had been the second-ranking House Republican behind Ryan, as minority leader he was now the leader of the House Republicans.Lindsey McPherson, [https://www.rollcall.com/2018/11/14/kevin-mccarthy-elected-house-minority-leader-over-jim-jordan/ Kevin McCarthy Elected House Minority Leader Over Jim Jordan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203110412/https://www.rollcall.com/2018/11/14/kevin-mccarthy-elected-house-minority-leader-over-jim-jordan/ |date=December 3, 2020}}, Roll Call (November 14, 2018).

McCarthy has been a strong supporter of Donald Trump since 2016.Melanie Zanona, Ally Mutnick & John Bresnahan, [https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/12/mccarthy-qanon-questions-394439 McCarthy faces QAnon squeeze] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228022103/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/12/mccarthy-qanon-questions-394439 |date=February 28, 2021}}, Politico (August 12, 2020). As minority leader, he remained a close Trump ally, keeping the Republican caucus unified in support of Trump and against his impeachment on two articles of impeachment arising from the Trump–Ukraine scandal. McCarthy associated with key figures in Trump's effort to enlist the Ukrainian government in discrediting Joe Biden, Trump's political opponent; such figures included Lev Parnas, Rudy Giuliani, and Robert F. Hyde.

Like Trump, McCarthy supported Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican candidate in 2020 for a U.S. House seat from northwest Georgia; Greene's past racist, anti-Semitic comments and her promotion of QAnon (a far-right conspiracy theory) led other Republicans to distance themselves from her.Clare Foran, Manu Raju and Haley Byrd, [https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/12/politics/qanon-marjorie-taylor-greene-house-republicans/index.html Trump and top House Republican embrace candidate who promoted QAnon conspiracy theory] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216210617/https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/12/politics/qanon-marjorie-taylor-greene-house-republicans/index.html |date=February 16, 2021}}, CNN (August 12, 2020). McCarthy did not take steps to thwart Greene's candidacy and did not endorse her opponent in the Republican primary runoff election. After Greene was nominated, McCarthy denounced the fringe conspiracy, saying, "There is no place for QAnon in the Republican Party", and said that Greene had distanced herself from her earlier statements.Juliegrace Brufke, [https://thehill.com/homenews/house/513101-gop-leader-there-is-no-place-for-qanon-in-the-republican-party GOP leader: 'There is no place for QAnon in the Republican Party'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213063023/https://thehill.com/homenews/house/513101-gop-leader-there-is-no-place-for-qanon-in-the-republican-party |date=February 13, 2021}}, The Hill (August 21, 2020). In 2020, McCarthy was asked about Trump's false claims that Joe Scarborough (an MSNBC host and former Republican congressman) was linked to the death of a staff member; a few House Republicans criticized Trump for making inflammatory and false statements, but McCarthy declined to take a position.John Wagner & Paul Kane, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/romney-criticizes-trump-for-promoting-conspiracy-theory-standing-out-among-republicans/2020/05/27/88101922-a022-11ea-b5c9-570a91917d8d_story.html McCarthy sidesteps questions on Trump's baseless conspiracy theory involving ex-congressman Scarborough] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612064413/https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/romney-criticizes-trump-for-promoting-conspiracy-theory-standing-out-among-republicans/2020/05/27/88101922-a022-11ea-b5c9-570a91917d8d_story.html |date=June 12, 2022}}, Washington Post (May 27, 2020). McCarthy's predecessor, Bill Thomas, for whom McCarthy served as a staffer from 1987 through 2002, excoriated McCarthy for his failure to accept the result of the 2020 presidential election and unwillingness to fully confront Trump for his role in precipitating and maintaining the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.

In May 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, McCarthy and House Republicans filed a lawsuit to stop the House of Representatives from allowing remote proxy voting by representatives, a measure that had been introduced under Speaker Nancy Pelosi to prevent the virus's spread in the Capitol.{{Cite web |title=House GOP sues to stop remote voting rule change |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/26/politics/house-republicans-remote-voting/index.html |last=Raju |first=Manu |date=May 26, 2020 |publisher=CNN |access-date=May 27, 2020 |archive-date=May 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512222533/https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/26/politics/house-republicans-remote-voting/index.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |work=Axios |date=August 6, 2020 |title=Judge dismisses House GOP lawsuit against Pelosi's proxy voting system |url=https://www.axios.com/house-proxy-voting-lawsuit-bb4f5d0a-2320-471e-964c-a33a6ee92f91.html |access-date=November 6, 2020 |archive-date=January 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121062901/https://www.axios.com/house-proxy-voting-lawsuit-bb4f5d0a-2320-471e-964c-a33a6ee92f91.html |url-status=live}} McCarthy and the other plaintiffs claimed that a quorum of members had to be physically present in the chamber to conduct business; Pelosi defended the rule as a critical public health measure and pointed to the Constitution authorizing each chamber of Congress to establish its own procedural rules. In August 2020, a federal judge dismissed McCarthy's lawsuit against Pelosi, ruling that the House has "absolute immunity from civil suit" under the Constitution's Speech or Debate Clause.

File:MedalCeremony 1 011520 (44 of 69) (49396285057).jpg

In November 2020, in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election, McCarthy insisted on Laura Ingraham's television show that "President Trump won this election"—echoing Trump's own claim—even as vote-counting was ongoing in several states and no winner had yet been declared.Matthew Daly, [https://apnews.com/article/mitt-romney-no-evidence-vote-fraud-0ac291da7ab09f6336d24290ef81f53b Romney: Trump's election fraud claim wrong, 'reckless'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206010213/https://apnews.com/article/mitt-romney-no-evidence-vote-fraud-0ac291da7ab09f6336d24290ef81f53b |date=February 6, 2021}}, Associated Press (November 6, 2020).Kelsey Vlamis, [https://www.businessinsider.com/kevin-mccarthy-trumps-false-claim-that-he-won-the-election-2020-11 Kevin McCarthy echoed Trump's false claim that he won the election, saying Republicans 'will not back down'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717115211/https://www.businessinsider.com/kevin-mccarthy-trumps-false-claim-that-he-won-the-election-2020-11 |date=July 17, 2022}}, Business Insider (November 6, 2020). McCarthy insinuated that large-scale voter fraud would lead Trump to lose, saying "Everyone who is listening: Do not be quiet. Do not be silent about this. We cannot allow this to happen before our very eyes."{{Cite web |title=The Election That Broke the Republican Party |url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/11/06/the-election-that-broke-the-republican-party-434797 |access-date=November 7, 2020 |website=Politico |date=November 6, 2020 |language=en |archive-date=February 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224205127/https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/11/06/the-election-that-broke-the-republican-party-434797 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last1=Rutenberg |first1=Jim |last2=Becker |first2=Jo |last3=Lipton |first3=Eric |last4=Haberman |first4=Maggie |last5=Martin |first5=Jonathan |last6=Rosenberg |first6=Matthew |last7=Schmidt |first7=Michael S. |date=January 31, 2021 |title=77 Days: Trump's Campaign to Subvert the Election |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/31/us/trump-election-lie.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/31/us/trump-election-lie.html |archive-date=December 28, 2021 |url-access=limited |access-date=February 1, 2021 |issn=0362-4331}}{{cbignore}}

In December 2020, McCarthy was one of 126 Republican members of the House of Representatives to sign an amicus brief in support of Texas v. Pennsylvania, a lawsuit filed at the United States Supreme Court contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election.{{cite web|last1=Blood|first1=Michael R.|last2=Riccardi|first2=Nicholas|date=December 5, 2020|title=Biden officially secures enough electors to become president|url=https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-elections-electoral-college-3e0b852c3cfadf853b08aecbfc3569fa|url-status=live|access-date=December 12, 2020|publisher=Associated Press|archive-date=December 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208201209/https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-elections-electoral-college-3e0b852c3cfadf853b08aecbfc3569fa}} House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a statement that called signing the amicus brief an act of "election subversion".{{Cite news |last1=Smith |first1=David |date=December 12, 2020 |title=Supreme court rejects Trump-backed Texas lawsuit aiming to overturn election results |language=en |work=The Guardian |url=http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/11/supreme-court-rejects-trump-backed-texas-lawsuit-aiming-to-overturn-election-results |access-date=December 13, 2020 |archive-date=June 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606022213/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/11/supreme-court-rejects-trump-backed-texas-lawsuit-aiming-to-overturn-election-results |url-status=live}}{{cite press release |url=https://www.speaker.gov/newsroom/121120-3 |title=Pelosi Statement on Supreme Court Rejecting GOP Election Sabotage Lawsuit |publisher=Speaker Nancy Pelosi |date=December 11, 2020 |access-date=December 13, 2020 |archive-date=August 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814224010/https://www.speaker.gov/newsroom/121120-3 |url-status=dead}} The Supreme Court declined to hear the case, on the basis that Texas lacked standing under Article III of the Constitution to challenge the results of an election held by another state.{{Cite news|last=Liptak|first=Adam|author-link=Adam Liptak|date=December 11, 2020|title=Supreme Court Rejects Texas Suit Seeking to Subvert Election|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/11/us/politics/supreme-court-election-texas.html|access-date=December 12, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=December 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211234955/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/11/us/politics/supreme-court-election-texas.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Order in Pending Case|url=https://www.supremecourt.gov/orders/courtorders/121120zr_p860.pdf|date=December 11, 2020|publisher=Supreme Court of the United States|access-date=December 11, 2020|archive-date=December 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211234004/https://www.supremecourt.gov/orders/courtorders/121120zr_p860.pdf|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/10/politics/read-house-republicans-texas-supreme-court/index.html|title=Brief from 126 Republicans supporting Texas lawsuit in Supreme Court|first=Daniella |last=Diaz|publisher=CNN|access-date=December 11, 2020|archive-date=December 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212000435/https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/10/politics/read-house-republicans-texas-supreme-court/index.html|url-status=live}} In March 2021, McCarthy denied he had supported Trump's false claims of election fraud, despite having supported Texas v. Pennsylvania.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/18/politics/mccarthy-rewrite-history-2020-election/index.html|title=McCarthy tries to rewrite history by claiming that he didn't back Trump's efforts to overturn the election|first1=Annie|last1=Grayer|first2=Caroline|last2=Kelly|date=March 18, 2021|publisher=CNN|access-date=March 19, 2021|archive-date=March 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319224948/https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/18/politics/mccarthy-rewrite-history-2020-election/index.html|url-status=live}}

On January 6, 2021, hours after the attack on the Capitol, McCarthy voted against certifying Biden's win in two states.{{cite web|date=January 6, 2021|title=Roll Call 10|url=https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/202110|access-date=January 27, 2021|publisher=Clerk of the United States House of Representatives|language=en|archive-date=January 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107203333/https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/202110|url-status=live}}{{cite web |date=January 7, 2021 |title=Roll Call 11 |url=https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/202111 |publisher=Clerk of the United States House of Representatives |access-date=January 27, 2021 |archive-date=January 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107094822/https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/202111 |url-status=live}} Cook Political Report House editor Dave Wasserman later reported that McCarthy had told him on several occasions before this vote that he knew Biden had won.{{Cite tweet |first=Dave|last=Wasserman|user=Redistrict |number=1346960142089248768 |title=A few weeks after the election, House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy acknowledged Trump's clear loss to me and I asked him if the president's refusal to concede would lead the country down a dangerous road. His response: "Maybe."}}{{Cite tweet |first=Dave|last=Wasserman|user=Redistrict |number=1347214766079664136|title=At the end of the day, House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy voted to object to both AZ and PA's electors after acknowledging multiple times to me there was no doubt as to Biden's victory.}} He later denied that this was a vote to overturn the election, because Biden would still have won without those two states. McCarthy finally recognized Biden as president-elect on January 8, more than two months after the election.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/01/25/after-objecting-election-results-kevin-mccarthy-says-all-americans-bear-responsibility-deadly-capitol-riot/|title=After objecting to the election results, Kevin McCarthy says all Americans bear responsibility for the deadly Capitol riot|last=Rieger|first=JM|date=January 25, 2021|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=May 29, 2021|archive-date=February 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224135228/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/01/25/after-objecting-election-results-kevin-mccarthy-says-all-americans-bear-responsibility-deadly-capitol-riot/|url-status=live}}

During a January 8 conference call with other House Republican leaders, McCarthy said that Trump's conduct during the Capitol riot was "atrocious and totally wrong" and that he was "inciting people" to attack the Capitol, and briefly inquired about invoking the 25th Amendment to remove him from office. On a January 10 conference call with Republican leaders, McCarthy said he would ask Trump to resign rather than go through a long impeachment battle, adding, "I've had it with this guy." During the same call he also expressed a wish that tech companies such as Facebook and Twitter would strip some Republican lawmakers of their social media accounts. But after weak House Republican support for Trump's second impeachment, fearing retribution from Trump and his allies, McCarthy backed off from this stance.{{Cite news |last1=Burns |first1=Alexander |last2=Martin |first2=Jonathan |date=April 21, 2022 |title='I've Had It With This Guy': G.O.P. Leaders Privately Blasted Trump After Jan. 6 |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/21/us/politics/trump-mitch-mcconnell-kevin-mccarthy.html |access-date=April 21, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421180936/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/21/us/politics/trump-mitch-mcconnell-kevin-mccarthy.html |url-status=live}}

A week after the attack, McCarthy delivered a speech in which he held Trump partially responsible for the riots. He emphasized that Trump failed to intervene after the initial TV footage, showing the demonstration evolving in a violent assault.{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/13/mccarthy-trump-responsibility-capitol-riot-458975|title=McCarthy says Trump 'bears responsibility' for Capitol riot|first=Nick|last=Niedzwiadek|website=Politico|date=January 13, 2021|access-date=February 9, 2021|archive-date=August 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804080736/https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/13/mccarthy-trump-responsibility-capitol-riot-458975|url-status=live}} He later said that he did not believe Trump had provoked the mob. On January 28, McCarthy paid Trump a visit at his Mar-a-Lago residence. Officially the topic was said to be "regaining the lost votes in the midterm elections of 2022", but it was widely reported as an attempt to mend fences with Trump and lessen tensions in the Republican Party.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/27/us/trump-mccarthy-capitol.html|title=McCarthy to meet Trump after rift over his assertion that the former president 'bears responsibility' for the Capitol attack.|last=Haberman|first=Maggie|date=January 27, 2021|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 22, 2021|archive-date=February 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210219091958/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/27/us/trump-mccarthy-capitol.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/2021/01/28/trump-mccarthy-meet-and-agree-on-gop-goal-to-take-house/|title=Trump, McCarthy meet and agree on GOP goal to take House|publisher=Tampa Publishing Company|website=Tampa Bay Times|access-date=February 9, 2021|archive-date=January 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129002046/https://www.tampabay.com/news/2021/01/28/trump-mccarthy-meet-and-agree-on-gop-goal-to-take-house/|url-status=live}}

During the second impeachment trial of Donald Trump, Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler said that Trump said to McCarthy during the ongoing attack on the Capitol by rioters: "Well, Kevin, I guess these people are more upset about the election than you are."{{Cite web|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/02/12/details-emerge-about-angry-trump-mccarthy-call-during-riot|title=Details emerge about angry Trump-McCarthy call during riot|date=February 13, 2021|access-date=February 17, 2021|archive-date=March 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301095651/https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/02/12/details-emerge-about-angry-trump-mccarthy-call-during-riot/|url-status=live}} She was not called as a witness but her statement was included in the impeachment documents.

In April 2021, before closing arguments in the Derek Chauvin trial, Maxine Waters said, "I hope we're going to get a verdict that will say guilty, guilty, guilty. And if we don't, we cannot go away" and need to get "more confrontational". After her comments, McCarthy said, "Waters is inciting violence in Minneapolis just as she has incited it in the past. If Speaker Pelosi doesn't act against this dangerous rhetoric, I will bring action this week."{{Cite web|first=Chandelis|last=Duster|title=Waters calls for protesters to 'get more confrontational' if no guilty verdict is reached in Derek Chauvin trial|date=April 19, 2021|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/19/politics/maxine-waters-derek-chauvin-trial/index.html|access-date=April 19, 2021|publisher=CNN|archive-date=April 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419234919/https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/19/politics/maxine-waters-derek-chauvin-trial/index.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=April 19, 2021|title=Republicans demand action against Maxine Waters after Minneapolis remarks|url=http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/apr/19/maxine-waters-minneapolis-remarks-kevin-mccarthy-marjorie-taylor-greene|access-date=April 19, 2021|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=April 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419114129/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/apr/19/maxine-waters-minneapolis-remarks-kevin-mccarthy-marjorie-taylor-greene|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Fordham|first=Evie|date=April 18, 2021|title=Republicans slam Maxine Waters for telling protesters to 'get more confrontational' over Chauvin trial|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/maxine-waters-confrontational-protesters-republican-brooklyn-center|access-date=April 19, 2021|publisher=Fox News|language=en-US|archive-date=March 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320131917/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/maxine-waters-confrontational-protesters-republican-brooklyn-center|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Millward|first=David|date=April 18, 2021|title=Democratic congresswoman urges protesters to stay on streets if Derek Chauvin is cleared|language=en-GB|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/04/18/democratic-congresswoman-urges-protesters-stay-streets-derek/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/04/18/democratic-congresswoman-urges-protesters-stay-streets-derek/ |archive-date=January 12, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=April 19, 2021|issn=0307-1235}}{{cbignore}}

Because of her stance on the Capitol riot, her vote to impeach Trump and vocal opposition to his stolen election narrative, in early 2021 pro-Trump Freedom Caucus House members attempted to remove Liz Cheney as chair of the House Republican Conference, the third-ranking position in the Republican House leadership. The initial effort failed, but growing numbers of House Republicans supported her removal; McCarthy agreed to a party vote in May, resulting in Cheney's ouster. Hours after the vote, McCarthy said, "I don't think anybody is questioning the legitimacy of the presidential election", but a CNN poll released days earlier found that 70% of Republicans believed the election was stolen.{{Cite news|last1=Edmondson|first1=Catie|last2=Fandos|first2=Nicholas|date=February 4, 2021|title=House Republicans Choose to Keep Liz Cheney in Leadership|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/03/us/liz-cheney-vote.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/03/us/liz-cheney-vote.html |archive-date=December 28, 2021 |url-access=limited|access-date=February 7, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite news|last=Leibovich|first=Mark|date=April 25, 2021|title=Kevin McCarthy, Four Months After Jan. 6, Still on Defensive Over Trump|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/25/us/politics/mccarthy-trump.html|access-date=April 26, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516123348/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/25/us/politics/mccarthy-trump.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/scalise-backs-stefanik-to-replace-liz-cheney-as-gop-conference-chair-11620218211|title=Behind Liz Cheney's Break With Kevin McCarthy Over Trump|first=Kristina|last=Peterson|date=May 5, 2021|work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=May 12, 2021|archive-date=May 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511215151/https://www.wsj.com/articles/scalise-backs-stefanik-to-replace-liz-cheney-as-gop-conference-chair-11620218211|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/10/politics/kevin-mccarthy-liz-cheney/index.html|title=McCarthy tells GOP colleagues to 'anticipate' Wednesday vote on ousting Cheney|first1=Ryan|last1=Nobles|first2=Manu|last2=Raju|date=May 10, 2021|publisher=CNN|access-date=May 12, 2021|archive-date=May 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514135955/https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/10/politics/kevin-mccarthy-liz-cheney/index.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/05/12/mccarthy-2020-election-legitimacy-487612|title=McCarthy after ousting Cheney: 'I don't think anybody is questioning the legitimacy of the presidential election'|first=Nick|last=Niedzwiadek|website=Politico|date=May 12, 2021|access-date=May 12, 2021|archive-date=May 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513111223/https://www.politico.com/news/2021/05/12/mccarthy-2020-election-legitimacy-487612|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/30/politics/cnn-poll-voting-rights/index.html|title=CNN Poll: Americans are divided on what causes problems in US elections|first=Jennifer|last=Agiesta|date=April 30, 2021|publisher=CNN|access-date=May 12, 2021|archive-date=May 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514065412/https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/30/politics/cnn-poll-voting-rights/index.html|url-status=live}} In October 2021, McCarthy pressured Republican political consultants not to work with Cheney or else lose business with other Republicans.{{Cite news|last=Martin|first=Jonathan|date=October 21, 2021|title=Liz Cheney's Consultants Are Given an Ultimatum: Drop Her, or Be Dropped|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/21/us/politics/liz-cheney-kevin-mccarthy.html|access-date=October 22, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029043705/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/21/us/politics/liz-cheney-kevin-mccarthy.html|url-status=live}}

File:P20210512AS-0249 (51224727223).jpg, Chuck Schumer, and Nancy Pelosi meet with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in May 2021.]]

On May 18, 2021, McCarthy announced that he opposed the bipartisan agreement in the House to form an independent commission to investigate the Capitol attack.{{Cite news |last=Fandos |first=Nicholas |date=2021-05-18 |title=McCarthy opposes Jan. 6 commission because it would not study 'political violence' by the left. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/18/us/kevin-mccarthy-capitol-riot-commission.html |access-date=2024-05-22 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} McCarthy had asked Representative John Katko, a member of his whip team, to negotiate with Democrats on the caucus's behalf about the commission. McCarthy specified to Katko what he and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell wanted, and got almost everything he asked for.{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/playbook/2021/05/17/mccarthy-has-another-trump-problem-on-his-hands-492870|title=Democrats agreed to multiple demands from McCarthy and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, including equal representation and subpoena power for both parties, and finishing its work before 2022. Notably, the agreement tracks closely with a GOP bill introduced earlier this year that has 30 Republican co-sponsors.|first=Tara Palmeri|last=Politico|website=Politico|date=May 17, 2021|access-date=May 18, 2021|archive-date=May 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518072541/https://www.politico.com/newsletters/playbook/2021/05/17/mccarthy-has-another-trump-problem-on-his-hands-492870|url-status=live}} McCarthy also said that the scope of any investigation should include other events of political violence, which was possible with the terms negotiated. McCarthy sided with other Republicans who sought to downplay the matter and move on.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/18/politics/kevin-mccarthy-opposes-1-6-commission/index.html|title=McCarthy won't support January 6 commission and sides with Republicans downplaying the insurrection|first=Jeremy|last=Herb|date=May 18, 2021|publisher=CNN|access-date=May 18, 2021|archive-date=May 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518203048/https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/18/politics/kevin-mccarthy-opposes-1-6-commission/index.html|url-status=live}} In June 2021, after Pelosi announced the creation of a select committee to investigate the Capitol attack that would include five Republican members, McCarthy threatened to remove Republicans from committee assignments if they participated.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/01/politics/kevin-mccarthy-january-6-commission-committee-assignments/index.html|title=McCarthy threatens to strip GOP members of committee assignments if they accept an offer from Pelosi to serve on 1/6 commission|first=Jamie|last=Gangel|date=July 2021|publisher=CNN|access-date=July 1, 2021|archive-date=July 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704195707/https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/01/politics/kevin-mccarthy-january-6-commission-committee-assignments/index.html|url-status=live}}

In July 2021, the delta variant of the coronavirus prompted the Attending Physician of the United States Congress to reimpose a mask requirement in the House chamber. McCarthy called this "a decision conjured up by liberal government officials who want to continue to live in a perpetual pandemic state", prompting Pelosi to respond to reporters, "he's such a moron."{{cite news |last1=Fandos |first1=Nicholas |title=The U.S. House of Representatives will once again require masks in the chamber. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/07/28/us/politics-news/house-mask-mandate |access-date=July 29, 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=July 28, 2021 |archive-date=August 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802233855/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/07/28/us/politics-news/house-mask-mandate |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Opinion: Fact check: Is Kevin McCarthy a 'moron'? |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/07/30/fact-check-is-kevin-mccarthy-moron/ |access-date=August 1, 2021 |first=Dana |last=Milbank |author-link=Dana Milbank |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=July 30, 2021 |archive-date=August 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803013451/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/07/30/fact-check-is-kevin-mccarthy-moron/ |url-status=live}} On July 31, 2021, members of Tennessee's Republican congressional delegation gave McCarthy a large gavel with the words "Fire Pelosi" inscribed on it. McCarthy told them, "it will be hard not to hit her with it, but I will bang it down."{{cite news |last1=Deese |first1=Kaelan |title=McCarthy faces calls to resign over alleged joke about hitting Pelosi with gavel |url=https://news.yahoo.com/mccarthy-faces-calls-resign-over-173400621.html |access-date=August 1, 2021 |archive-date=August 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802181227/https://news.yahoo.com/mccarthy-faces-calls-resign-over-173400621.html |url-status=live}}

In August 2021, after the House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack asked telecommunications and social media companies to retain certain records, McCarthy said that if the companies "turn over private information" to the committee, they would be "in violation of federal law and subject to losing their ability to operate in the United States", and that a future Republican legislative majority would hold them "fully accountable". McCarthy did not specify which law the companies would break in this situation.{{cite news |last1=Sonmez |first1=Felicia |last2=Lima |first2=Cristiano |title=Rep. McCarthy threatens tech and telecom firms that comply with Jan.6 committee's request |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/jan-6-riot-mccarthy-trump-telecom-companies/2021/09/01/cad1753c-0b1d-11ec-9781-07796ffb56fe_story.html |access-date=September 2, 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=September 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210901154300/https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/jan-6-riot-mccarthy-trump-telecom-companies/2021/09/01/cad1753c-0b1d-11ec-9781-07796ffb56fe_story.html |archive-date=September 1, 2021 |url-status=live}}

On November 18, 2021, and into the early morning of November 19, McCarthy gave a record-breaking 8.5-hour speech on the House floor using the "magic minute", forcing a delay in the final vote on the Build Back Better Act.{{cite news |last=Corcoran |first=Kieran |date=November 19, 2021 |title=Kevin McCarthy breaks record for longest-ever House speech, talking for more than 8 hours to obstruct Biden's social-spending bill |website=Business Insider |language=en |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/mccarthy-breaks-house-record-8hr-speech-block-biden-spending-2021-11 |access-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119122548/https://www.businessinsider.com/mccarthy-breaks-house-record-8hr-speech-block-biden-spending-2021-11 |url-status=live}}

On May 12, 2022, the January 6 Committee subpoenaed McCarthy and Republican representatives Jim Jordan, Mo Brooks, Scott Perry and Andy Biggs.{{cite news|title=January 6 committee subpoenas 5 GOP lawmakers close to Trump, including McCarthy|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/january-6-committee-subpoenas-kevin-mccarthy-jim-jordan-mo-brooks-scott-perry-andy-biggs/|publisher=CBS News|date=May 12, 2022|author1=Scott MacFarlane|author2=Melissa Quinn|author3=Kathryn Watson|access-date=May 13, 2022|archive-date=May 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513110616/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/january-6-committee-subpoenas-kevin-mccarthy-jim-jordan-mo-brooks-scott-perry-andy-biggs/|url-status=live}} In December, the committee referred McCarthy, Jordan, Perry and Biggs to the House Ethics Committee for disobeying the subpoenas.{{Cite web |last=Solender |first=Andrew |date=December 19, 2022 |title=Jan. 6 committee refers Kevin McCarthy to ethics panel for dodging subpoenas |url=https://www.axios.com/2022/12/19/jan6-committee-ethics-kevin-mccarthy |access-date=December 19, 2022 |website=Axios |language=en |archive-date=December 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219193343/https://www.axios.com/2022/12/19/jan6-committee-ethics-kevin-mccarthy |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Jan. 6 panel refers McCarthy, 3 other Republicans for ethics violations |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/12/19/jan-6-ethics-violations-00074599 |access-date=February 16, 2023 |website=POLITICO |date=December 19, 2022 |language=en |archive-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216050447/https://www.politico.com/news/2022/12/19/jan-6-ethics-violations-00074599 |url-status=live}}

{{main|January 2023 Speaker of the United States House of Representatives election}}

File:McCarthy Holding Gavel After Speaker Election.jpg

As minority leader, McCarthy led Republicans in the 2022 election cycle. Many party officials and political pundits predicted Republicans would make large gains in the House. In the elections, Republicans gained a majority, continuing the decades-long trend of the incumbent president's party losing a House majority in their midterm elections. This also marked the first time since the 115th Congress that Republicans held a majority. But Republicans did not fulfill widespread predictions of large gains, as their majority was narrow. McCarthy won an internal Republican conference vote in early November, with 188 votes to Andy Biggs's 31, but some members of the conference continued to oppose his bid for speaker.

At the start of the 118th Congress on January 3, 2023, McCarthy failed to secure a majority of votes cast on the first ballot, with all Democrats and 19 Republicans opposing him. This marked the first time since the December 1923 speaker election that the first ballot did not produce a speaker. McCarthy finally received a majority and became speaker on the 15th ballot on January 7, after making key concessions to some members of the right-wing Freedom Caucus,{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/mccarthy-late-night-mulligan-elected-house-speaker-vote|title=Kevin McCarthy elected House speaker in 15th floor vote after days of high drama|first=Peter|last=Kasperowicz|date=January 7, 2023|website=Fox News|access-date=January 7, 2023|archive-date=June 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614063827/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/mccarthy-late-night-mulligan-elected-house-speaker-vote|url-status=live}}{{Cite news |title=McCarthy makes fresh concessions to try to woo hard-right Republicans in speaker bid |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/01/05/mccarthy-republicans-concessions-speaker/ |access-date=January 7, 2023 |issn=0190-8286}} including a rule to allow a single House member to introduce a vote to remove the speaker, as well as granting Freedom Caucus members three seats on the influential Rules Committee.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/06/us/politics/mccarthy-house-speaker-republicans.html|title=Speaker Quest Reveals McCarthy's Tenuous Grip on an Unruly Majority|first=Luke|last=Broadwater|date=January 7, 2023|website=NY Times|access-date=February 2, 2023|archive-date=February 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201172329/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/06/us/politics/mccarthy-house-speaker-republicans.html|url-status=live}} Additionally, it was the longest multi-ballot speaker election since 1859.{{cite news| last1=Debusmann| first1=Bernd| last2=Murphy| first2=Matt| title=Kevin McCarthy elected US House Speaker after 15 rounds of voting| date=January 7, 2023| work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-64193932| access-date=January 16, 2023| archive-date=January 6, 2023| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230106235035/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-64193932| url-status=live}}{{cite news| title=Vote Count: McCarthy Elected House Speaker After 15 Ballots| first1=Allison| last1=McCartney| first2=Alicia| last2=Parlapiano| first3=Ashley| last3=Wu| first4=Christine| last4=Zhang| first5=Josh| last5=Williams| first6=Emily| last6=Cochrane| first7=John-Michael| last7=Murphy| date=January 6, 2023| work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/01/04/us/politics/house-speaker-vote-tally.html| access-date=January 16, 2023| archive-date=January 6, 2023| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230106235355/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/01/04/us/politics/house-speaker-vote-tally.html| url-status=live}}

File:P20230207AS-1831 (52680872226).jpg before the 2023 State of the Union Address.]]

During McCarthy's tenure as speaker, the U.S. Congress was extremely unproductive compared to preceding modern congresses. Very few bills were passed into law, for which analysts in large part faulted discord among the House's Republicans.{{cite web |last1=Metzger |first1=Bryan |title=Kevin McCarthy's House is the least productive in modern history — and it's not just because of divided government |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/kevin-mccarthy-house-least-productive-modern-history-analysis-2023-9 |website=Business Insider |access-date=February 18, 2024 |date=September 27, 2023}}Multiple sources:

• {{cite web |last1=Kaur |first1=Gurjit |last2=Jarenwattananon |first2=Patrick |title=118th Congress to be the most unproductive in decades |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/12/21/1221040449/118th-congress-to-be-the-most-unproductive-in-decades |website=NPR}}
• {{cite web |last1=LoCascio |first1=Joe |last2=Siegel |first2=Benjamin |last3=Pereira |first3=Ivan |title=118th Congress on track to become one of the least productive in US history |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/118th-congress-track-become-productive-us-history/story?id=106254012 |website=ABC News |access-date=February 18, 2024 |language=en |date=January 10, 2024}}
• {{cite web |last1=Nicholson |first1=Jonathan |title=The Least Productive Congress Since The Great Depression |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/least-productive-congress-since-great-depression_n_65553d38e4b0e4767012b6df |website=HuffPost |access-date=February 18, 2024 |language=en |date=November 16, 2023}}
• {{cite web |last1=Solender |first1=Andrew |title=Capitol Hill stunner: 2023 led to fewest laws in decades |url=https://www.axios.com/2023/12/19/118-congress-bills-least-unproductive-chart |website=Axios |access-date=February 18, 2024 |date=December 18, 2023}}
• {{cite web |last1=Shirley |first1=Trevor |title=Congress has one of its least productive years ever |url=https://www.dcnewsnow.com/news/local-news/washington-dc/congress-has-one-of-its-least-productive-years-ever/ |website=DC News Now |access-date=February 18, 2024 |date=December 21, 2023}}
• {{cite web |last1=Frey |first1=Kevin |title=After an unproductive year, Congress faces massive 2024 to-do list |url=https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/politics/2023/12/21/after-a-historically-unproductive-year--congress-faces-mounting-to-do-list-in-2024 |website=NY1 |access-date=February 18, 2024 |language=en |date=December 31, 2023}}

In February 2023, McCarthy released over 40,000 hours of security video of the January 6 Capitol attack to Fox News host Tucker Carlson, prompting criticism from colleagues such as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.{{cite news |last1=Stein |first1=Chris |title=Kevin McCarthy denounced for giving January 6 tapes to Fox News host |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/feb/23/kevin-mccarthy-tucker-carlson-jan-6-tapes |website=TheGuardian |publisher=TheGuardian |access-date=March 13, 2023 |archive-date=March 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312193431/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/feb/23/kevin-mccarthy-tucker-carlson-jan-6-tapes |url-status=live}} Days later, Carlson aired several minutes of the video during his program and asserted that government investigators had exaggerated the degree of criminality during the attack. Justice Department prosecutors said that in one case Carlson's video clips were misleadingly edited to suggest that one prominent Capitol intruder had been unjustly prosecuted, omitting video of him engaged in criminal activity.{{cite news|title=Tucker Carlson amplifies Jan. 6 lies with GOP-provided video|url=https://apnews.com/article/jan-6-tucker-carlson-capitol-riot-mccarthy-adc245e22f50b076925eb72948062808|publisher=Associated Press|date=March 7, 2023|author1=Lisa Mascaro|author2=Mary Clare Jalonick|author3=Farnoush Amiri|access-date=March 13, 2023|archive-date=March 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313080741/https://apnews.com/article/jan-6-tucker-carlson-capitol-riot-mccarthy-adc245e22f50b076925eb72948062808|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Cheney |first1=Kyle |title=Prosecutors say newly aired Chansley footage paints misleading portrait of his Jan. 6 conduct |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/03/12/qanon-shaman-jacob-chansley-footage-00086703 |work=Politico |date=March 12, 2023 |access-date=March 13, 2023 |archive-date=March 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313061620/https://www.politico.com/news/2023/03/12/qanon-shaman-jacob-chansley-footage-00086703 |url-status=live}}

File:Kevin_McCarthy_met_with_Tsai_Ing-wen_at_the_Reagan_Library.jpg Tsai Ing-wen, April 5, 2023.]]

In March 2023, McCarthy announced he had planned a meeting with the Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, in the U.S.{{cite news |last1=Millis |first1=Leah |title=House Speaker Kevin McCarthy plans to meet Taiwan's president in the U.S., sources say |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/07/kevin-mccarthy-plans-to-meet-taiwans-president-in-the-us-sources.html |access-date=March 11, 2023 |agency=CNBC |publisher=CNBC.com |date=March 6, 2023 |archive-date=March 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312053637/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/07/kevin-mccarthy-plans-to-meet-taiwans-president-in-the-us-sources.html |url-status=live}} He initially declined an invitation from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to visit Ukraine, saying he opposed giving "blank checks" to Ukraine and did not need to visit Ukraine to know whether the money was necessary.{{cite news |last1=Berg |first1=Matt |title=McCarthy rejects Zelenskyy's invitation to Ukraine |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/03/08/mccarthy-zelenskyy-ukraine-00086053 |access-date=March 11, 2023 |agency=Politico |publisher=Politico.com |date=March 8, 2023 |archive-date=March 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230310214306/https://www.politico.com/news/2023/03/08/mccarthy-zelenskyy-ukraine-00086053 |url-status=live}} The planned meeting with Tsai was condemned by the Chinese Communist Party, which threatened to take strong action.{{cite news |last1=Kube |first1=Courtney |last2=Jett |first2=Jennifer |title=U.S. lawmakers arrive in Taiwan as China blasts McCarthy's meeting with Tsai |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/us-lawmakers-arrive-taiwan-china-mccarthy-tsai-rcna78452 |access-date=April 7, 2023 |work=NBC |date=April 6, 2023 |archive-date=April 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406231516/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/us-lawmakers-arrive-taiwan-china-mccarthy-tsai-rcna78452 |url-status=live}} McCarthy and Tsai met on April 5 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library,{{cite news |last=Foran |first=Clare |title=Taiwan's president warns 'democracy is under threat' in joint remarks with McCarthy |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/taiwan-president-tsai-and-speaker-mccarthy-set-to-meet-in-show-of-democratic-solidarity/ar-AA19uZt6 |access-date=April 5, 2023 |work=CNN |date=April 5, 2023 |archive-date=April 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405220705/https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/taiwan-president-tsai-and-speaker-mccarthy-set-to-meet-in-show-of-democratic-solidarity/ar-AA19uZt6 |url-status=live}} where he denounced China's threats.{{cite news |last=Creitz |first=Charles |title=Kevin McCarthy blasts China's response to Taiwanese president visit |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/kevin-mccarthy-blasts-chinas-response-to-taiwanese-president-visit/ar-AA19xrbs |access-date=April 7, 2023 |work=Fox News |date=April 6, 2023 |archive-date=April 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407091800/http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/kevin-mccarthy-blasts-chinas-response-to-taiwanese-president-visit/ar-AA19xrbs |url-status=live}} The meeting, which was described as a historic first,{{cite news |last=Mascaro |first=Lisa |title=For Kevin McCarthy and Taiwan's leader, a visit marks a historic first |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/4/5/23672246/for-kevin-mccarthy-and-taiwans-leader-a-visit-marks-a-historic-first |access-date=April 8, 2023 |work=Chicago Sun Times |date=April 6, 2023 |archive-date=April 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407233304/https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/4/5/23672246/for-kevin-mccarthy-and-taiwans-leader-a-visit-marks-a-historic-first |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=A rare, historic visit for McCarthy and Taiwan's leader at the Reagan Library |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/a-rare-historic-visit-for-mccarthy-and-taiwans-leader-at-the-reagan-library/ar-AA19wm0o |access-date=April 8, 2023 |work=MSN |date=April 6, 2023 |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408185416/https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/a-rare-historic-visit-for-mccarthy-and-taiwans-leader-at-the-reagan-library/ar-AA19wm0o |url-status=live}} triggered a series of Chinese military exercises near Taiwan, which the People's Liberation Army described as three-day "combat readiness patrols", meant to warn to the Taiwanese. On April 8, approximately eight Chinese warships and 42 fighter jets were detected near Taiwan's coasts.{{cite news |title=China Sends Warships, Fighter Jets Near Taiwan Following President's Meeting With US Speaker McCarthy |url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/china-sends-warships-fighter-jets-near-taiwan-following-presidents-meeting-with-us-speaker-mccarthy/4222960/ |access-date=April 8, 2023 |work=WNBC |date=April 8, 2023 |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408092718/https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/china-sends-warships-fighter-jets-near-taiwan-following-presidents-meeting-with-us-speaker-mccarthy/4222960/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=McDonald |first=Joe |title=China flies fighter jets near Taiwan after leader's trip to U.S. |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/china-flies-fighter-jets-near-taiwan-after-leader-s-trip-to-u-s/ar-AA19CiUL |access-date=April 8, 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=April 8, 2023 |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408105315/http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/china-flies-fighter-jets-near-taiwan-after-leader-s-trip-to-u-s/ar-AA19CiUL |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=China holds military drills around Taiwan after Tsai-McCarthy meeting |url=https://www.axios.com/2023/04/08/china-taiwan-military-drills-tsai-mccarthy |access-date=April 8, 2023 |work=Axios |date=April 8, 2023 |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408143818/https://www.axios.com/2023/04/08/china-taiwan-military-drills-tsai-mccarthy |url-status=live}}

In April 2023, McCarthy, Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer, and Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell invited South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to address a joint meeting of Congress, scheduled for April 27.{{cite news |last=Lebowitz |first=Megan |title=Top lawmakers invite South Korean president to address Congress |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/top-lawmakers-invite-south-korean-president-address-congress-rcna78521 |access-date=April 8, 2023 |work=NBC News |date=April 6, 2023 |archive-date=April 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407211306/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/top-lawmakers-invite-south-korean-president-address-congress-rcna78521 |url-status=live}}

In May 2023, amid a debt-ceiling crisis, McCarthy worked closely with President Biden to resolve the issue.{{Cite web |last1=Mascaro |first1=Lisa |last2=Kim |first2=Seung Min |date=February 1, 2023 |title=Biden, McCarthy meet face-to-face on debt crisis worries |url=https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-us-republican-party-kevin-mccarthy-895d66dcb52739ea06a505859ac9fff3 |access-date=April 29, 2023 |website=AP NEWS |language=en |archive-date=April 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429010628/https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-us-republican-party-kevin-mccarthy-895d66dcb52739ea06a505859ac9fff3 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last1=Mascaro |first1=Lisa |last2=Freking |first2=Kevin |date=April 19, 2023 |title=Speaker McCarthy unveils $1.5T debt bill, pushes toward vote |url=https://apnews.com/article/speaker-mccarthy-debt-ceiling-biden-republicans-congress-ca106e88f2ad6ca1f2df8d2b27c15758 |access-date=April 28, 2023 |website=AP NEWS |language=en |archive-date=April 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230428212728/https://apnews.com/article/speaker-mccarthy-debt-ceiling-biden-republicans-congress-ca106e88f2ad6ca1f2df8d2b27c15758 |url-status=live}} Members of the Freedom Caucus attempted to persuade McCarthy to make more robust demands in exchange for raising the debt ceiling, but with days until a potentially disastrous default, McCarthy did not do so.{{cite news |last1=Ferris |first1=Sarah |last2=Beavers |first2=Olivia |title=How Jim Jordan and Marjorie Taylor Greene helped McCarthy get his debt deal through |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/05/31/mccarthy-debt-limit-deal-gop-divisions-00099567 |access-date=June 23, 2023 |work=Politico |date=May 31, 2023 |archive-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623222513/https://www.politico.com/news/2023/05/31/mccarthy-debt-limit-deal-gop-divisions-00099567 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Doyle |first1=Katherine |last2=Wong |first2=Scott |title=Far-right members, unhappy with debt deal, float threatening McCarthy's speakership |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/far-right-members-unhappy-debt-deal-float-threatening-mccarthys-speake-rcna86797 |access-date=June 23, 2023 |work=NBC News |date=May 30, 2023 |archive-date=June 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622140719/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/far-right-members-unhappy-debt-deal-float-threatening-mccarthys-speake-rcna86797 |url-status=live}} He negotiated the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 that was introduced by Republican representative Patrick McHenry, and it passed the House on May 31 and the Senate on June 1. Biden signed it into law on June 3, ending the crisis and preventing a default.{{Cite web |date=June 3, 2023 |title=Biden signs bipartisan debt ceiling bill to avert government default |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/biden-signs-bipartisan-debt-ceiling-bill-avert-government-default-rcna87516 |access-date=June 5, 2023 |website=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=June 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603183732/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/biden-signs-bipartisan-debt-ceiling-bill-avert-government-default-rcna87516 |url-status=live}}

File:Vice President Harris and Speaker McCarthy listened to Prime Minister Modi's speech at the US Capitol in 2023.jpg behind Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he addresses Congress, June 22, 2023]]

McCarthy has urged Biden to withdraw the nomination of Julie Su as United States secretary of labor, arguing her controversial record would lead to "potential disastrous ramifications at the federal level".{{cite news |last=Lightman |first=David |title=Kevin McCarthy, Kevin Kiley urge Biden to withdraw Labor Secretary nominee |url=https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/article274046090.html |access-date=April 10, 2023 |work=The Sacramento Bee |date=April 6, 2023 |archive-date=April 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407051500/https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/article274046090.html |url-status=live}}

McCarthy has expressed support for a proposal to "expunge" both of President Trump's impeachments.{{cite web |last1=McFarlane |first1=Scott |last2=Kim |first2=Ellis |title=McCarthy says he supports House resolutions to "expunge" Trump's impeachments – CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-impeachment-expunge-kevin-mccarthy-house-resolutions/ |website=CBS News |access-date=June 30, 2023 |date=June 23, 2023 |archive-date=June 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630014234/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-impeachment-expunge-kevin-mccarthy-house-resolutions/ |url-status=live}}

Amid allegations of corruption by President Joe Biden, many Republicans called for his impeachment. On September 1, 2023, McCarthy said that he would not initiate an impeachment inquiry without a full House vote, though it appeared he did not have sufficient Republican support to pass such a measure.{{cite news |last1=Brooks |first1=Emily |title=McCarthy says he won't open impeachment inquiry without House vote |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4183496-mccarthy-says-he-wont-open-impeachment-inquiry-without-house-vote/ |work=The Hill |date=September 1, 2023 |access-date=September 12, 2023 |archive-date=September 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230912192711/https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4183496-mccarthy-says-he-wont-open-impeachment-inquiry-without-house-vote/ |url-status=live}}{{cite magazine |last1=Cortellessa |first1=Eric |title=McCarthy Lacks the Votes For an Impeachment Inquiry. Trump's Allies Have a Plan to Get Them. |url=https://time.com/6311911/impeachment-biden-marjorie-greene-hunter/#:~:text=Republicans%20have%20only%20a%20slim,after%20a%20full%20House%20vote. |magazine=Time |date=September 8, 2023 |access-date=September 12, 2023 |archive-date=September 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230912190044/https://time.com/6311911/impeachment-biden-marjorie-greene-hunter/#:~:text=Republicans%20have%20only%20a%20slim,after%20a%20full%20House%20vote. |url-status=live}} On September 12, he announced that he was directing the Oversight, Judiciary, and Ways and Means committees to begin an impeachment inquiry, to be led by James Comer, chairman of the Oversight Committee. He did not say whether a full House vote might be held.{{cite news|title=McCarthy calls for formal impeachment inquiry into Biden|url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/12/politics/biden-impeachment-house-gop/index.html|publisher=CNN|date=September 12, 2023|author1=Haley Talbot|author2=Lauren Fox|author3=Melanie Zanona|access-date=September 12, 2023|archive-date=September 12, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230912170551/https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/12/politics/biden-impeachment-house-gop/index.html|url-status=live}} McCarthy asserted that, over his objections, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi had changed the process when Democrats pursued the first impeachment of Donald Trump in 2019, so that he was following what she had done. In 2019, Democrats conducted a five-week investigation before holding a full House vote to approve an impeachment inquiry.{{cite news|title=McCarthy blames Pelosi for his impeachment flip-flop|url=https://www.axios.com/2023/09/12/biden-impeachment-inquiry-mccarthy-pelosi|publisher=Axios|author1=Juliegrace Brufke|author2=Justin Green|date=September 12, 2023|access-date=September 12, 2023|archive-date=September 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230914203531/https://www.axios.com/2023/09/12/biden-impeachment-inquiry-mccarthy-pelosi|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=A Divided House Endorses Impeachment Inquiry Into Trump |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/31/us/politics/house-impeachment-vote.html?partner=slack&smid=sl-share |work=The New York Times |date=November 13, 2019 |author1=Nicholas Fandos |author2=Sheryl Gay Stolberg |access-date=September 12, 2023 |archive-date=October 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004012814/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/31/us/politics/house-impeachment-vote.html?partner=slack&smid=sl-share |url-status=live}}

The impeachment allegations coincided with rising fears of a federal government shutdown, as McCarthy's concessions to Biden infuriated members of the Freedom Caucus who were calling for less spending. The Freedom Caucus's cause was echoed by various politicians outside the House, notably including Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Amid the Republican infighting and in a push to halt legislators' pay during shutdowns, Representative Angie Craig introduced the MCCARTHY (My Constituents Cannot Afford Rebellious Tantrums, Handle Your) Shutdown Act.{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Madison |title=A Democratic representative just introduced the 'My Constituents Cannot Afford Rebellious Tantrums, Handle Your Shutdown Act' to halt congressional pay during a government shutdown |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/bill-for-halting-legislator-pay-mccarthy-shutdown-act-2023-9 |access-date=September 27, 2023 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US |archive-date=September 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927104323/https://www.businessinsider.com/bill-for-halting-legislator-pay-mccarthy-shutdown-act-2023-9 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=September 19, 2023 |title=DeSantis plays up fight with House speaker after McCarthy said he is "not on the same level" as Trump – CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ron-desantis-kevin-mccarthy-government-shutdown-fight/ |access-date=September 27, 2023 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US |archive-date=September 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927001808/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ron-desantis-kevin-mccarthy-government-shutdown-fight/ |url-status=live}}

{{main|Removal of Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House}}

File:Speaker Kevin McCarthy It's been an honor to serve.webm

On September 29, 2023, McCarthy's bill to fund the federal government, including large spending cuts and strict border policies, failed to pass the House after 21 hard-right House Republicans joined all Democrats present in voting against it, criticizing the reforms proposed as insignificant and insufficient; if no funding bill had been passed, a government shutdown would have occurred on October 1.{{cite news |last1=Cabral |first1=Sam |title=US House of Representatives considers bill to avoid government shutdown |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66965214 |access-date=October 4, 2023 |work=BBC News |date=October 1, 2023 |archive-date=October 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001133644/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66965214 |url-status=live |quote=Faced with a rebellion by hard-line Republicans in his party, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy needs support from Democrats ... the hard-liners have tanked efforts by Mr McCarthy to shepherd legislation needed to break the impasse through the House.}}{{cite news |last1=Mascaro |first1=Lisa |last2=Freking |first2=Kevin |last3=Groves |first3=Stephen |title=Government shutdown averted with little time to spare as Biden signs funding before midnight |url=https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-mccarthy-congress-republicans-732baaa19c91f981e492fd0e6a76aba8 |access-date=October 4, 2023 |work=Associated Press |date=October 1, 2023 |archive-date=October 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003200948/https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-mccarthy-congress-republicans-732baaa19c91f981e492fd0e6a76aba8 |url-status=live |quote=The House's quick pivot comes after the collapse Friday of McCarthy's earlier plan to pass a Republican-only bill ... A faction of 21 hard-right Republican holdouts opposed it.}} On September 30, McCarthy introduced a temporary funding bill without the large spending cuts, but also without Ukraine funding; this bill passed the House with 209 Democrats and 126 Republicans in favor; one Democrat and 90 Republicans voted against it.{{cite news |last1=Brassil |first1=Gillian |last2=Lightman |first2=David |title=Congress averts government shutdown. Will it cost Speaker Kevin McCarthy his gavel? |url=https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article279965109.html |access-date=October 4, 2023 |work=The Sacramento Bee |date=October 1, 2023 |archive-date=October 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004012824/https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article279965109.html |url-status=live}} The shutdown was prevented when the Senate passed the bill and President Biden signed it into law. McCarthy told the media, "Democrats tried to do everything they can not to let [the bill] pass".{{cite news |last1=Moran |first1=Lee |title=CBS Anchor Can't Keep Straight Face Over Kevin McCarthy's Shutdown Claim |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kevin-mccarthy-face-the-nation_n_651a61a0e4b0c91b80176a0b |access-date=October 4, 2023 |work=The Huffington Post |date=October 2, 2023 |archive-date=October 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003080223/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kevin-mccarthy-face-the-nation_n_651a61a0e4b0c91b80176a0b |url-status=live}}

After funding the government with Democratic support, McCarthy said, "If somebody wants to remove me because I want to be the adult in the room, go ahead and try". On October 3, Representative Matt Gaetz filed a motion to vacate the speakership: Gaetz criticized McCarthy for working with Democrats to pass a spending bill which did not include fiscally conservative reforms. Immediately thereafter, an attempt to remove the motion through a motion to table was filed by Representative Tom Cole, a McCarthy ally, but it was voted down by House Democrats and eleven Republicans.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/10/03/us/politics/mccarthy-house-speaker-vote-live.html |title=Live Vote Count: House Decides Whether to Oust McCarthy as Speaker |last1=Cook Escobar |first1=Molly |last2=Elliott |first2=Kennedy |last3=Levitt |first3=Zach |last4=Murphy |first4=John-Michael |last5=Parlapiano |first5=Alicia |last6=Reinhard |first6=Scott |last7=Shorey |first7=Rachel |last8=Wu |first8=Ashley |last9=Yourish |first9=Yourish |date=October 3, 2023 |work=The New York Times |access-date=October 3, 2023 |archive-date=October 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003164341/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/10/03/us/politics/mccarthy-house-speaker-vote-live.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} The vote to vacate passed with 216 in favor and 210 opposed, removing McCarthy as speaker.{{Cite news |last1=Warburton |first1=Moira |last2=Cowan |first2=Richard |last3=Morgan |first3=David |date=October 4, 2023 |title=Kevin McCarthy ousted as House Speaker in historic vote |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/mccarthy-says-he-thinks-he-will-survive-leadership-challenge-us-house-2023-10-03/ |access-date=October 5, 2023 |archive-date=October 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005035147/https://www.reuters.com/world/us/mccarthy-says-he-thinks-he-will-survive-leadership-challenge-us-house-2023-10-03/ |url-status=live}} This was the first time in U.S. history that the House of Representatives had removed its speaker from office.{{cite news |last1=Hughes |first1=Shiobhan |last2=Katy S. |first2=Ferek |last3=Kristina |first3=Peterson |title=Kevin McCarthy Ousted as House Speaker in Historic Vote |url=https://www.wsj.com/politics/house-democrats-could-decide-kevin-mccarthys-fate-74de00ad |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=October 3, 2023 |access-date=October 3, 2023 |archive-date=October 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003192201/https://www.wsj.com/politics/house-democrats-could-decide-kevin-mccarthys-fate-74de00ad |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last1=Wilkie |first1=Emma |last2=Kinery |first2=Christina |date=October 3, 2023 |title=House ousts Kevin McCarthy as speaker, a first in U.S. history |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/10/03/house-speaker-kevin-mccarthy-will-bring-gaetz-motion-to-oust-him-vote.html |access-date=October 3, 2023 |website=CNBC |language=en |archive-date=October 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003151250/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/10/03/house-speaker-kevin-mccarthy-will-bring-gaetz-motion-to-oust-him-vote.html |url-status=live}} Voting to remove McCarthy were all House Democrats and eight House Republicans: Gaetz, Andy Biggs, Ken Buck, Tim Burchett, Eli Crane, Bob Good, Nancy Mace, and Matt Rosendale.{{cite news |last1=Blackburn |first1=Piper |title=Here are the 8 Republicans who voted to oust McCarthy as House speaker |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/10/03/politics/republicans-vote-remove-mccarthy-house-speaker/index.html |access-date=October 4, 2023 |work=CNN |date=October 3, 2023 |archive-date=October 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004012815/https://edition.cnn.com/2023/10/03/politics/republicans-vote-remove-mccarthy-house-speaker/index.html |url-status=live}} After the vote, McCarthy announced he would not seek the speakership again.{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2023/10/03/congress/mccarthy-is-out-00119797|title=McCarthy won't seek speakership again|website=Politico|author=Olivia Beavers|date=October 3, 2023|access-date=October 3, 2023|archive-date=October 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003234632/https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2023/10/03/congress/mccarthy-is-out-00119797|url-status=live}}

File:Kevin McCarthy retirement announcement.webm

File:Kevin McCarthy speaking to VOA at 2024 RNC 11.png]]

On December 6, 2023, McCarthy announced that he would resign from Congress on December 31. On December 14, McCarthy gave his farewell speech to the House; speaking to reporters, he said that leaving the House at this point in his career was "not the timing I wanted". Republican members of California's congressional delegation, in addition to Patrick McHenry and Democrat Steny Hoyer, paid tribute to McCarthy on the House floor.{{cite web |last1=McCarthy |first1=Mia |title=McCarthy says a 'bittersweet' goodbye |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/12/14/mccarthys-last-day-in-congress-00131949 |website=Politico |access-date=December 15, 2023 |date=December 14, 2023}} A few months later, when asked at a Georgetown event, McCarthy said, "I'll give you the truth why I'm not speaker. It's because one person, a member of Congress, wanted me to stop an ethics complaint because he slept with a 17-year-old ... did he do it or not? I don't know." The conversation was interpreted as questioning Gaetz's motives for kickstarting his ouster.{{cite web |title=Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Democracy |url=https://www.c-span.org/video/?534771-1/house-speaker-kevin-mccarthy-democracy |website=c-span.org |access-date=11 April 2024}}{{cite web |title=Scathing Kevin McCarthy says he was ousted as Speaker because Gaetz allegedly 'slept with a 17-year-old' |date=April 11, 2024 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/kevin-mccarthy-speaker-matt-gaetz-b2526749.html |last1=Hawkinson |first1=Katie |work=The Independent |access-date=11 April 2024}}

After his ouster, he continues to be a major fundraiser, assisting Speaker Mike Johnson with campaign finance via his SuperPAC, the Congressional Leadership Fund.{{Cite web |title=McCarthy-aligned groups shatter 2024 fundraising records |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/mccarthy-aligned-groups-shatter-2024-fundraising-records/ar-AA1dOOM9 |access-date=2024-07-17 |date=July 13, 2023|website=MSN.com}}{{Cite web |title=PAC Profile: Congressional Leadership Fund |url=https://www.opensecrets.org/political-action-committees-pacs/congressional-leadership-fund/C00504530/summary/2022}}

File:Kevin McCarthy at the 110th Congress swearing-in.jpgional swearing in]]

McCarthy and his wife, Judy, have two children. They are lifelong residents of Bakersfield. He and his family are Baptists and members of the Southern Baptist Convention.{{Cite web |last=Poletti |first=Jonathan |date=January 7, 2023 |title=Kevin McCarthy is a perfect Evangelical |url=https://medium.com/belover/kevin-mccarthy-is-a-perfect-evangelical-e188abb636ae |access-date= |website=Medium |language=en |archive-date=January 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108145738/https://medium.com/belover/kevin-mccarthy-is-a-perfect-evangelical-e188abb636ae |url-status=live}}

In October 2015, McCarthy was accused of having an affair with Representative Renee Ellmers.{{cite news |url=https://www.vox.com/platform/amp/2015/10/9/9488323/mccarthy-ellmers-affair |title=The affair allegations that derailed Kevin McCarthy's quest for the speakership, explained |first=Matthew |last=Yglesias |website=Vox |date=October 9, 2015 |access-date=August 17, 2020 |archive-date=March 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321110704/https://www.vox.com/platform/amp/2015/10/9/9488323/mccarthy-ellmers-affair |url-status=live}} He had unexpectedly dropped out of the race for speaker of the House shortly before the allegations surfaced.{{cite news |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2015/10/09/rep-ellmers-addresses-house-gop-on-email-rumors |title=Renee Ellmers Talks to GOP Caucus |work=U.S. News & World Report |date=October 9, 2015 |agency=Associated Press |access-date=August 17, 2020 |archive-date=March 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319164438/https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2015/10/09/rep-ellmers-addresses-house-gop-on-email-rumors |url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2018/05/the-forgotten-scandal-that-derailed-mccarthys-speakership.html|title=Whatever Happened to the Scandal That Derailed McCarthy's Last Bid for Speaker?|first=Margaret|last=Hartmann|date=May 21, 2018|website=Intelligencer|access-date=August 17, 2020|archive-date=January 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107165846/https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2018/05/the-forgotten-scandal-that-derailed-mccarthys-speakership.html|url-status=live}} Days earlier, Representative Walter B. Jones Jr. had sent Republican Conference chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers a letter stating that any candidates for a leadership position with "misdeeds" should withdraw from the race. Both McCarthy and Ellmers denied the allegation.

• Political positions of Kevin McCarthy
• Electoral history of Kevin McCarthy

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