Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy embarked on a farewell tour this week as he prepares to leave Congress at the end of this year, commemorating his 16-year career with floor speeches, a party and even a photo line.
After the vote series on Thursday – McCarthy’s last legislative day as a member of Congress – lawmakers held an hourlong special order of floor speeches dedicated to him, where members thanked the California Republican for his service and wished him well as McCarthy looked on.
In a speech of his own, McCarthy reflected on his time and touted his accomplishments.
“If you come across that question of whether you should do what is right out of fear of losing your job, do it anyways. Because it is the right thing to do and this is what the nation requires,” said McCarthy, who was ousted by members of his right flank for putting a stopgap spending bill on the floor.
Retiring GOP Rep. Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, a close McCarthy ally, touted his “unmatched knowledge of the personalities of the House” and compared his expertise to the “legislative equivalent of an elite power athlete.
Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, who had a good working relationship with McCarthy when they both served in leadership, acknowledged, “We had many differences,” but he thanked the former speaker for the times they agreed: “It was good for the House, it was good for the country, it was good for me.”
“Kevin, I want to thank you for what we agreed upon and what we were able to do together here and abroad,” Hoyer added, referencing the many congressional delegations they led to Israel together.
GOP Rep. Ken Calvert of California concluded the hour of special order by saying they say goodbye to McCarthy “from the floor, but not from our lives.”
Earlier in the day, McCarthy arranged a photo line – which…
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