A Republican lawmaker is arguing the fighting in Israel following Hamas’ surprise attack is cause for former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) to get his job back.
During an appearance on “Fox & Friends” Monday, Rep. John Duarte (R-Calif.) noted it appeared the planning for Hamas’ attack, which has left at least 700 people dead in Israel, was in the works before McCarthy was ousted as speaker.
However, he argued, “There is no greater friend of Israel than Kevin McCarthy.”
“And Kevin McCarthy has been engaged in world affairs. We need Kevin McCarthy back in the speakership right now. We need to get that vote done this week,” Duarte added.
He went on:
“And on the Democrat side — I don’t know if we’ll get our crazy eight back in line or not — but on the Democrat side, when we have that vote, anyone who’s a friend of Israel needs to go have a tea party or vote present and let Kevin McCarthy get back in the speakership chair right now.”
Watch the video below:
Co-host Steve Doocey noted the House cannot do anything until a speaker is elected, including passing an aide package for Israel as it responds to Hamas’ aggression.
Duarte responded, “They’re going to run out of ordnance and we’re not going to be able to authorize the funding to get them the weapons and the defense they need. We have one of our strongest allies in the world under attack, and we are dilly-dallying around with a leadership struggle in the House that should never have occurred. Kevin McCarthy should never have been ousted.”
He reiterated his call for Democrats to “take a walk” to lower the threshold necessary to become speaker so moderate Republicans could overcome intraparty objections to McCarthy.
Duarte’s comments come nearly a week after the House took the historic step of voting to oust a speaker.
Politico notes there are concerns the House may not be able to choose a new speaker by the end of the week. There are questions about whether Acting Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) has the authority to move legislation or resolutions to express support for Israel, or provide support, in the event the speaker’s vote drags on.
