The only Republican who had a chance to stop Kevin McCarthy from being elected Speaker (and it wasn’t much of a chance at that) has decided instead to stay as Finance Services Committee Chairman (The Hill).
A spokeswoman for Hensarling confirmed the news after the story was posted.
“After prayerful consideration, Chairman Hensarling is not a candidate for a leadership position,” the spokeswoman said in an email. “He will support Chairman Price for majority leader.”
“Chairman Price” is a reference to Tom Price, Chair of the Budget Committee. Hensarling’s endorsement gives Price a leg up in that race.
More importantly, IMHO, Hensarling’s decision to sit out the Speaker race all but assures McCarthy’s promotion from House Majority Leader. At present, his only opponent is three-term Floridian Daniel Webster.
As it happens, I would prefer McCarthy over Webster myself. Nothing against the Floridian, but McCarthy was in Congress for the bank bailout vote, and was a firm “No.” When the party has a chance, it should promote and encourage Congressmen who did the right thing on those days (there were two votes in the House).
Still, my preferences are likely irrelevant at this point. Barring the very unforeseen, Kevin McCarthy is the next Speaker of the House.
