Freedom Caucus yet to back McCarthy as next House Republican speaker

Caucus leaders say the group is officially staying out of the leadership stakes, after having derailed McCarthy's 2015 bid.

By Madeleine Hubbard

Published: September 22, 2022 8:49am

Updated: September 23, 2022 6:37am

The House Freedom Caucus, one of the chamber's most conservative factions, has yet to support California GOP Rep. Kevin McCarthy as the chamber's next speaker if their Republican Party wins back the majority in November.

McCarthy is now the House minority leader, the chamber's top Republican, and appears to have enough support within the entire House GOP conference to win the speakership.

However, McCarthy's bid in 2015 was at least in part derailed by the caucus.

When caucus Chairman Rep. Scott Perry was asked about whether the group plans on supporting McCarthy, he replied "Talk to me on Nov. 9" – one day after the midterm elections, Axios reported Wednesday.

Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) said fellow caucus members have adopted an officially neutral stance in leadership elections.

However, caucus Vice Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) said McCarthy has been doing a "great" job and already personally endorsed him for speaker.