House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, R.-Calif., said he will continue to run for speaker of the new Republican majority as he faces opposition within his party.
“I’m not going anywhere,” McCarthy told reporters Tuesday following a contentious private meeting with his party where he delivered a speech. “We did have an intense conference, and it’s intense for a purpose.”
McCarthy faces opposition from Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., and members of the House Freedom Caucus ahead of Tuesday’s vote.
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Boebert muttered “this is bulls—” under her breath during a House GOP Conference meeting Tuesday regarding McCarthy’s bid for speakership, her spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital.
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“There’s times we’re going to have to argue with our own members if they’re looking at for only positions for themselves, not for the country,” McCarthy said. “Look, I have the record for the longest speech ever on the floor. I don’t have a problem getting a record for the most votes for speaker too.”
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The House of Representatives will vote for leadership Tuesday afternoon. There will be a second round of votes if McCarthy does not receive enough support to become speaker. He needs 218 votes to become speaker if all members are present and voting — and House Democratic leaders on Tuesday morning urged all their members to stay on the floor throughout the day to ensure this majority count is necessary.
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McCarthy laughed prior to the Tuesday meeting when asked if he would support an alternative bid from Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., for speaker.
Fox News’ Chad Pergram contributed to this report.