Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has said he’s confident Rep. Jim Jordan will win the floor vote to become his successor.
McCarthy told Fox News’s Brian Kilmeade on Monday that he feels “very good” about Jordan’s chances ahead of a crucial vote.
House representatives are expected to vote for the next speaker on Tuesday.
“I feel very good about where Jim Jordan is at,” McCarthy said during an appearance on “Fox & Friends.”
“He has been an integral part of our team when we took the majority, helping us get the majority.
“The real challenge here is, and I know a lot of people out there are afraid that will Republicans break off and go work with Democrats, the only reason anybody’s even talking about that is because eight Republican members worked with every single Democrat to remove me from speaker and put us into this tailspin and all based upon keeping government open,” he continued.
On Friday, Jordan secured the GOP’s nomination for speakership after a vote from the Republican conference.
Jordan is looking at Tuesday as the best day for a floor vote as most members would be back at the Capitol and present for the voting.
Jordan faces an uphill battle in his bid to become speaker.
He needs to flip 55 Republicans who indicated on Friday that they would not support the House Judiciary Committee chairman.
The opponents to Jordan’s bid were revealed in a floor vote during secret balloting on the matter.
McCarthy also blasted the eight Republicans who he said worked with the Democrats to oust him.
He cited concern surrounding service members who would have paid the price if the government did, indeed, shut down over a battle on spending.
“Brian, think for one moment as we talk about what’s happening around the world,” McCarthy said.
“Could you imagine those American troops on those aircraft carriers or in those planes that are sitting over there that they would have missed their first paycheck this week, that they’re trying to defend the freedom and wondering if their loved ones can pay the rent, or they’re going to pay their car payment?”
“This is what’s so absurd about all this, that a few eight people worked with every single Democrat to make a political decision here to disrupt America,” he continued.
“That’s where we have to… be a little calmer, show the leadership, and come together and put America back on the right foot.”
WATCH:
Kevin McCarthy comes out in support of Jim Jordan for House Speaker:
"It's time to get the House out of this tailspin, come together, and get America back on the right track. Jim Jordan can do it." pic.twitter.com/ytHPqZmVG8
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) October 16, 2023
Jordan’s rise to the nomination came after a roller coaster couple of weeks on Capitol Hill.
In a historic move, McCarthy became the first ever speaker to be ousted from the post in a vote forced by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL).
In the race to replace McCarthy, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) was the Republican conference’s initial pick for the nomination.
Scalise bested Jordan in a vote last week before making the surprising decision to withdraw from the race Thursday night.
Jordan then faced a surprising challenge for the nomination from Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA).
However, Jordan ultimately prevailed in a 124-81 vote over the Georgia Republican.
A second vote meant to gauge support for Jordan on the House floor saw the 55 Republicans reveal their opposition.
Nevertheless, Scott threw his support behind Jordan after losing the earlier vote.