Category: fox-news/politics/house-of-representatives

Speaker Johnson hails ‘Judeo-Christian tradition,’ outlines ‘optimistic vision’ in first international speech

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Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., praised the "Judeo-Christian tradition" and "classical liberal" values that he said shaped the West in his first international speech on Monday.

Johnson virtually addressed the inaugural conference of the Alliance For Responsible Citizenship (ARC) in London. In his remarks, Johnson outlined four questions he is using to shape an "optimistic vision" for the country and the world. 

He called on the audience to consider, "How do we restore good governance and restore faith in our institutions," how to "re-focus on the family and strengthen the social fabric that ties us all together," along with "the best way to deliver reliable and affordable energy" and finally: "how do we sell the idea that the best answers to these questions are the keys to greater human flourishing across the globe?"

"The answers to these and other key questions will form our optimistic vision, and what we’re calling our better story," he said.

NEW HOUSE SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON'S APPEAL TO 'GOD,' 'THE BIBLE’ ON HOUSE FLOOR SPARKS DEBATE ONLINE

Johnson cited the "unprecedented times" both at home and abroad – including "political divides" in the U.S. and a "crisis of identity" in the western world as a whole. 

He referenced international instablity in Hamas’s attacks on Israel, China’s growing aggression to Taiwan and its neighbors and the "war in Eastern Europe."

Johnson called on the people gathered to seek a "better story" in terms of expanding opportunity and "the return of responsibility" from government to individuals.

SPEAKER JOHNSON SUPPORTS $14B FOR ISRAEL, BUT SAYS AMERICA ‘CANNOT BE DROPPING MONEY OUT OF HELICOPTERS’

"And finally, and most importantly, our better story says that we, in the West, draw on an extraordinary heritage, built on the best of the classical liberal and the Judaeo-Christian tradition. These are not just political ideas; these are foundational principles which have governed our public debate for centuries and which we would do well to remember," he said.

Toward the end of his remarks the speaker called for a "radical shift in thinking about the role of government and the proper delegation of responsibility."

His speech comes after House Republicans unanimously elected Johnson as speaker, ending three weeks of paralysis in Congress without an elected leader in its lower chamber.

SPEAKER JOHNSON: BIDEN ENGAGING IN ‘COVER-UP’ OF ROLE IN HUNTER BUSINESS DEALINGS, IMPEACHMENT PROBE CONTINUES

"[D]emocracy can be messy, and thankfully, I believe the United States Congress and our entire nation has re-emerged now as a beacon of liberty for the world as a result of all this," Johnson said toward the beginning of his speech.

"The House is back in session as we say here. Now look, I believe God brings leaders together to address certain challenges, just as I believe the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship has been called together this week to begin the challenging work of pushing back on the failed visions that currently plague the West."

It comes as the House is expected to consider an aid package for Israel this week.

ARC CEO, Baroness Phillipa Stroud, praised Johnson and his leadership in her own statement.

"It's been lovely to work with Speaker Johnson this year as we planned and developed the ARC mission. We are so excited for him as he takes on this incredible role and know his servant leadership approach, which is a fundamental principle here at ARC, will serve the American people well," Stroud said.

Speaker Johnson: Biden engaging in ‘cover-up’ of role in Hunter business dealings, impeachment probe continues

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EXCLUSIVE: House Speaker Mike Johnson said President Biden is engaged in an "ongoing cover-up" and has "lied repeatedly" about his involvement in and knowledge of Hunter Biden’s business dealings, while telling Fox News Digital that the impeachment inquiry against him will continue "methodically" and without a "predetermined" outcome.

Johnson, R-La., was elected speaker of the House of Representatives this week. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., launched the impeachment inquiry against Biden in September.

In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital Friday evening, the speaker said the inquiry will continue under his leadership.

"We are the rule of law team, and so we have to respect and regard due process and do this in a way that the founders would have intended," he said. "Impeachment is an awesome power that Congress has, and it is not intended to be, nor should it be, used as a political tool to be wielded lightly."

COMER DEMANDS WHITE HOUSE PROVIDE RECORDS TO PROVE $200K PAYMENT TO BIDEN FROM BROTHER WAS A LOAN

Johnson added, "We take this very seriously."

The speaker said House Republicans will continue investigating, "collecting evidence and following the truth and that evidence wherever it leads."

"We’ve not predetermined the outcome of this. We’ve not pre-judged it," he said. "But I think everyone can see how it is unfolding," he added. 

Johnson, a constitutional lawyer and former member of the House Judiciary Committee and House Committee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, has been involved in the impeachment investigation first-hand.

The inquiry is led by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, and Ways & Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith.

"They’ve just really done exceptional work uncovering the evidence," Johnson said. "They’ve done a great job, and they’ve been very methodical here."

Johnson said impeachment was "designed by the framers of the Constitution to be a very careful and sensitive thing that has to be handled legally and appropriately, and that’s what has been done by our chairmen." 

Legal experts have been torn on whether Congress can initiate impeachment proceedings for alleged treason, bribery, or high crimes and misdemeanors that transpired before holding the office of the presidency. 

FBI RECEIVED 'CRIMINAL INFORMATION' FROM OVER 40 CONFIDENTIAL SOURCES ON JOE BIDEN, HUNTER, JAMES: GRASSLEY

The scope of the impeachment inquiry covers the span the time of Biden’s vice presidency to the present, including his time out of office.

When asked for his theory on the matter, Johnson said: "I think I can argue the case that it should extend that far, but I’m not sure that we will have to in this case."

"We have an ongoing cover-up of the important facts as Joseph Biden is sitting in the Oval Office," Johnson said. "We know that he stared right into the camera as the president and lied repeatedly—I mean, multiple times—he lied directly multiple times about his involvement and knowledge of his son’s business dealings. We all know that now." 

He added: "He is, you know, as the sitting president, he has been involved in covering it up."

DOJ ORDERED HUNTER BIDEN INVESTIGATORS TO 'REMOVE ANY REFERENCE' TO JOE BIDEN IN FARA PROBE WARRANT: HOUSE GOP

Johnson said he believes there is "an overwhelming amount of evidence, and that seems to indicate that he was involved and that they did know about this, and that the family did benefit from it." 

"I think we might be arguing about high crimes and misdemeanors, but I’m not so certain bribery is not involved in some way here, either," Johnson said. "And of course, bribery is specifically listed in the Constitution, and so we have an obligation to pursue it." 

He added, "There’s a lot of smoke here, and we’re going to find out very soon how big the fire is."

Johnson, pointing to the records being collected by House Republicans in the ongoing inquiry, said "Bank records don’t lie." 

"We have receipts now, we're connecting the dots, and I think this will continue in earnest," he said.

EXCLUSIVE: JOE BIDEN ALLEGEDLY PAID $5M BY BURISMA EXECUTIVE AS PART OF A BRIBERY SCHEME, ACCORDING TO FBI DOCUMENT

Comer, R-Ky., has collected bank records belonging to the Biden family, and is continuing to do so. His panel is currently collecting subpoenaed personal and business records belonging to Hunter Biden and James Biden.

Comer so far has said his panel has uncovered that the Biden family and their business associates brought in more than $24 million between 2014 and 2019 by "selling Joe Biden as ‘the brand’ around the world.

The White House maintains that President Biden was never in business with his son and had previously insisted he never discussed business with his son or his family. White House officials have blasted the impeachment inquiry against the president as an "evidence-free" political stunt. 

Johnson told Fox News Digital that there are "a lot of Americans who are really anxious to have accountability."

"But I want to assure everyone that we are working through the process in the appropriate and constitutional manner," he said. "And I think we’re well-positioned to bring accountability to the American people—they deserve it."

Meanwhile, Johnson had a "pleasant meeting" with President Biden at the White House this week.

"He was engaging and personable," Johnson said. "This is not a personal thing that I have with him. I have to do my job, and he has to do his, and my job is to bring accountability to people, and so, I don’t make any apology for that."

Johnson was on the impeachment defense team for former President Trump in 2020.

"I saw firsthand how the Democrats took a sledgehammer to hundreds of years of precedent," he said. "And we were decrying that all along the way and pointing out that they were opening a Pandora's box and really just diminishing the institution for, kind of, a political vendetta against President Trump."

When asked how he would respond to Democrats casting the continued impeachment inquiry against Biden as political, Johnson quoted John Adams.

BIDENS ALLEGEDLY 'COERCED' BURISMA CEO TO PAY THEM MILLIONS TO HELP GET UKRAINE PROSECUTOR FIRED: FBI FORM

"I don't expect anything different from our colleagues on the other side of the aisle with regard to this but as John Adams said, ‘facts are stubborn things,’ and we are going to present the facts and we're going to follow the truth," Johnson said. "And so it doesn't matter what the mainstream media narrative is or what the Democrats say—we’re going to lay the facts bare for the American people to draw their own conclusions, and I think they'll draw the right ones."

As for a timeline, Johnson said he doesn’t have one.

"And I haven't prejudged anything," he said. "If I had, I would be guilty of everything that I've pointed out Democrats have done wrong, but I do believe that we're going to draw a lot of this to conclusion soon.

And I'm anxious to do that because I think the American people are owed that."

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Beyond investigating Biden’s ties to his family’s business dealings, House Republicans are also probing the alleged obstruction of the Justice Department’s years-long federal investigation into Hunter Biden. The allegations stem from IRS whistleblowers who allege politics influenced prosecutorial steps throughout the probe.

Mike Johnson elected House speaker three weeks after Kevin McCarthy’s historic ouster

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The House of Representatives chose Rep. Mike Johnson to serve as speaker on Wednesday following the historic ouster of Rep. Kevin McCarthy from the role over three weeks ago.

Johnson, R-La., was elected speaker of the House during a full vote on the House floor Wednesday afternoon. The vote tally was 220 to 209. 

Johnson needed 215 votes to secure the speaker's gavel Wednesday. Typically, the threshold is 217, however, due to current absences, the threshold fell to 215.

House Republicans selected Johnson as their fourth speaker nominee late Tuesday after their past three nominees to lead the chamber dropped out of the race.

HOUSE REPUBLICANS TO HOLD 3RD INTERNAL VOTE TO FIND SPEAKER CANDIDATE 3 WEEKS AFTER MCCARTHY OUSTER

Johnson was elected House speaker after weeks of closed-door negotiating within the House Republican Conference after McCarthy, R-Calif., was removed as speaker of the House on Oct. 3 in a historic first for the chamber.

The House Republican Conference initially voted to select House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., as their nominee for speaker on a secret ballot, but he later withdrew. 

Then, Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, was selected as the speaker nominee in a second conference vote, but the conference later voted to remove him after he failed three House-wide votes.

House Republicans considered a move to empower Speaker Pro-tempore Patrick McHenry that would give the interim speaker expanded power through January, but that effort also failed. 

By Tuesday, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer had been selected as the House Republican Conference's nominee for speaker, but by Tuesday afternoon, Emmer had dropped out of the race ahead of a formal floor vote. 

Emmer's drop out came shortly after a blistering attack on Truth Social from former President Trump, who called him a "globalist RINO," or, Republican In Name Only, and warned House Republicans that electing him speaker would be a "tragic mistake." 

After Emmer's drop out, Johnson, along with Reps. Byron Donalds, R-Fla.; Charles Fleischmann, R-Tenn.; Mark Green, R-Tenn., all were possible nominees. Johnson won the nomination Tuesday night. 

Trump didn't formally endorse any of the candidates in the next round, posting on his Truth Social account that he "could never go against any of these fine and very talented men, all of whom have supported me, in both mind and spirit, from the very beginning of our GREAT 2016 Victory." 

But in that post, Trump "strongly" urged House Republicans to vote for Johnson on the floor and "get it done fast." 

Later Wednesday morning, Trump said Johnson would be a "fantastic speaker," and said he is "respected by all and that’s what we need."

 "He’s popular, smart, sharp. He’s going to be fantastic. I think he’s going to be a fantastic speaker," Trump said ahead of the floor vote Tuesday. 

Johnson has been in politics since 2015 when he was elected to the state House, where he stayed until 2017.

The son of a firefighter, Johnson was elected to Congress in the 2016 election and serves on the House Judiciary and Armed Services Committees.

Johnson is currently in his second term as the vice chairman of the House Republican Conference. The Louisiana Republican previously served one term as the influential Republican Study Committee chairman.

Johnson is an ally of former President Donald Trump and defended him during the Democrat-led House impeachment hearings. He also filed an amicus brief co-signed of 100 House Republicans to support Texas litigation seeking to overturn the 2020 election results in four states: Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. He was the Chairman of the conservative Republican Study Committee at the time. 

"President Trump called me this morning to let me know how much he appreciates the amicus brief we are filing on behalf of Members of Congress," Johnson posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Dec. 9, 2020. "Indeed, ‘this is the big one!’"

The lawsuit, filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, tried to buy more time with the Supreme Court to allow investigations of purported voting issues to continue before the final electoral vote in the four swing states. The Supreme Court rejected the lawsuit. 

On several other issues, Johnson has aligned with the most conservative lawmakers in the caucus.

Last month, he voted against H.R. 5692, the Ukraine Security Assistance and Oversight Supplemental Appropriations Act, which passed. The bill appropriates federal dollars to assist Ukraine's military in its defense against Russia and establishes an inspector general's office to oversee aid. 

Additionally, he opposed the temporary spending measure, known as a Continuing Resolution (CR), aligning with 90 other House Republicans, at the Sept. 30 deadline. He also supported measures to bolster border security within the CR, which aimed to restrict eligibility for asylum seekers. The bill did not garner enough support to pass.

In June, Johnson voted in favor of a resolution calling for the impeachment of President Joe Biden. 

Prior to joining Congress, Johnson worked as a lawyer and was the senior spokesperson for the conservative Christian legal advocacy group Alliance Defending Freedom.

This was the second-longest period the House has ever gone without a speaker. It lacked a speaker for two months in late 1855 and early 1856.

McCarthy’s ouster came after Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., introduced a measure against him known as a motion to vacate, accusing him of breaking promises he made to win the speaker's gavel in January.

Comer raises questions about $200k ‘direct payment’ from James Biden to Joe Biden in 2018

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House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer said his panel has uncovered evidence that Joe Biden, in 2018, received a "$200,000 direct payment" from his brother James Biden and sister-in-law Sara Biden, and is demanding the president answer questions about "financial arrangements" with members of his family.

Comer, R-Ky., has been leading an investigation into the Biden family’s business dealings since January and whether President Biden was involved in those ventures or "personally benefited" from them.

COMER DEMANDS ANSWERS ON WHETHER BIDEN CLASSIFIED RECORDS MENTION COUNTRIES RELATED TO FAMILY BUSINESS DEALS

Comer, in September, issued three subpoenas for the personal and business bank records belonging to both Hunter Biden and James Biden.

Comer, in a video posted to "X," formerly known as Twitter, detailing his committee’s latest findings. Comer said the check was written by James Biden to President Biden as a "loan repayment," but questioned the timing.

"Bank records obtained by the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability have revealed a $200,000 direct payment from James and Sara Biden to Joe Biden in the form of a personal check," Comer states.

Comer explains that in 2018, James Biden "received $600,000 in loans from Americore —a financially distressed and failing rural hospital operator." 

"According to bankruptcy court documents, James Biden received these loans based upon representations that his last name Biden, could open doors; and that he could obtain a large investment from the Middle East based on his political connections," Comer said.

"On March 1, 2018, Americore wired a $200,000 loan into James and Sara Biden’s personal bank account—not their business bank account," he continued. "And then, on the very same day, James Biden wrote a $200,000 check from this same personal bank account to Joe Biden."

Comer said James Biden "wrote this check to Joe Biden as a ‘loan repayment.’"

"Americore—a distressed company—loaned money to James Biden who then sent it to Joe Biden," Comer said.

But Comer said even if the payment was "a personal loan repayment, it’s still troubling that Joe Biden’s ability to be paid back by his brother depended on the success of his family’s shady financial dealings."

"Some immediate questions President Biden must answer for the American people: Does he have documents proving he lent such a large sum of money to his brother and what were the terms of such financial arrangement?" Comer asked. "Did he have similar financial arrangements with other family members that led them to make similar large payments to him?"

Comer also demanded Biden answer whether he knew that the same day he received the $200,000 check, "James Biden had just received a loan for the exact same amount from business dealings with a company that was in financial distress and failing."

DOJ ORDERED HUNTER BIDEN INVESTIGATORS TO 'REMOVE ANY REFERENCE' TO JOE BIDEN IN FARA PROBE WARRANT: HOUSE GOP

"The House Oversight Committee will soon announce our next investigative actions and continue to follow the money," he said. "The bank records don’t end here. There is more to come."

Comer's findings come amid his months-long investigation. Comer, alongside House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo., is leading the House impeachment inquiry against Biden. 

So far, during his committee's investigation, Comer said he has found that Biden family members, their business associates and their "related companies" received "significant payments from individuals and companies in China, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Romania."

Comer said the House Oversight Committee has learned throughout its investigation that the Biden family and their business associates brought in more than $24 million between 2014 and 2019 by "selling Joe Biden as ‘the brand’ around the world."

Hunter Biden prosecutor David Weiss to appear for closed-door House Judiciary interview next month

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Special Counsel David Weiss is expected to appear for a transcribed interview before the House Judiciary Committee next month, a source familiar with the situation told Fox News. 

Weiss is set to appear for his transcribed interview behind closed doors on Nov. 7, the source said. 

JORDAN WANTS SPECIAL COUNSEL DAVID WEISS TO TESTIFY PUBLICLY NEXT MONTH BEFORE CONGRESS

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, has been requesting Weiss and other federal prosecutors involved in the Hunter Biden investigation to testify before his committee for months. He initially requested Weiss meet with the committee on Oct. 11. 

Attorney General Merrick Garland tapped Weiss in August to serve as special counsel with jurisdiction over the Hunter Biden investigation and any other issues that have come up, or may come up, related to that probe.

HUNTER BIDEN INVESTIGATORS LIMITED QUESTIONS ABOUT 'DAD,' 'BIG GUY' DESPITE FBI, IRS OBJECTIONS: WHISTLEBLOWER

Weiss, the U.S. attorney for Delaware, has been leading the Hunter Biden investigation since 2018. His appointment as special counsel came amid allegations that politics had influenced or hampered prosecutorial decisions in the years-long investigation into the president’s son. 

In his first move as special counsel, Weiss charged Hunter Biden with making a false statement in the purchase of a firearm; making a false statement related to information required to be kept by a federal firearms licensed dealer; and one count of possession of a firearm by a person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance.

The president's son pleaded not guilty to all charges earlier this month. 

Weiss has said the investigation into the president's son is ongoing. 

HUNTER BIDEN PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO FEDERAL GUN CHARGES OUT OF SPECIAL COUNSEL DAVID WEISS' PROBE

Weiss' interview comes amid House Republicans' impeachment inquiry against President Biden. 

The status of the impeachment inquiry is unclear, however, after the ouster of Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., as House speaker. Jordan is currently the Republican nominee for speaker, and is expected to hold a third vote for the post on Friday. 

House adjourns in disarray as support for Jordan looks weaker than expected

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House Republicans are adjourning for the weekend after their designated candidate for speaker, Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, appears to be well short of the support needed for a chamber-wide vote to give him the gavel.

GOP leaders are looking at potentially scheduling another member-wide conference on Monday and a full House vote sometime after that, two sources told Fox News Digital. But those sources stressed that plans are still very much tentative.

It's the second time GOP lawmakers have gathered to pick a speaker-designate in three days. Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., won an internal vote on Wednesday but stepped back from the race on Thursday night after it became clear he did not have enough support for a House floor vote. 

Jordan won 124 votes against his rival in the race, Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., who won 81.

HOUSE REPUBLICANS CHOOSE SCALISE AS THEIR CANDIDATE FOR SPEAKER AFTER MCCARTHY'S OUSTER

After the first ballot, Jordan called for a second round in which lawmakers were asked whether they will support Jordan on the House floor. 

He managed to win 152 votes on that round, but 55 Republicans still said they would vote against him. A GOP candidate for speaker would need to reach 217 votes to win a House-wide vote with no Democratic support.

Jordan is virtually guaranteed to get zero help from Democrats – he's made his career in Congress as one of the GOP's most effective attack dogs and previously served as head of the hardline-right House Freedom Caucus. He's also playing a central role in the impeachment inquiry of President Biden.

He's expected to have a hard time winning moderate support within his own conference, as well.

‘UNMITIGATED S---SHOW’: HOUSE REPUBLICANS FUME OVER SPEAKER VACANCY AMID ISRAEL CRISIS

Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., an ally of ousted ex-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., indicated he would be one of those steadfastly opposing Jordan on the floor.

"Our Congress is still without a Speaker of the House, because 8 Republicans joined all the Democrats to plunge our nation into chaos," Gimenez said on social media immediately after the vote, referencing McCarthy's removal. "I'm still OK. Only Kevin."

DEMS MOUNT PRESSURE ON 18 REPUBLICANS IN BIDEN-WON DISTRICTS AHEAD OF NEW HOUSE SPEAKER VOTE

But even those in Jordan's corner are not fully on the same page, it seems.

Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., one of Jordan's fellow Freedom Caucus members, said Republicans should not adjourn for the weekend.

"I know it's frustrating. I know tensions are high. I know people are a little worn out, but we should, we should be in there and we should get this thing done," Donalds told reporters after the vote. "I don't think we should leave until then. But again, that's a decision for Jim Jordan and I'm going to respect that decision."

He added that he was "surprised" at the level of support Jordan received, adding, "I thought it would be higher."

Trump will not visit Capitol Hill ahead of House speaker race: source

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Former President Trump will not visit Capitol Hill Tuesday to meet with congressional Republicans as they consider a next speaker of the House, a source familiar with the 2024 GOP front-runner's plans told Fox News Digital.

The former president told Fox News Digital last Thursday that he would visit Washington, D.C., and Capitol Hill to take part in a House Republican Conference as members considered who would become the next speaker of the House, following the ouster of Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.

A source familiar, though, told Fox News Digital on Monday that the president's plans had changed, and he will no longer visit Washington or Capitol Hill to take part in those discussions or the House GOP candidate forum set to begin Tuesday evening. 

Trump, early Friday morning, endorsed Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, to serve as House speaker.

TRUMP EXPECTED TO VISIT CAPITOL HILL NEXT WEEK AMID HOUSE SPEAKER RACE: SOURCES

Jordan, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, is up against House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., for the role.

Meanwhile, Trump, last week, said he would accept a short-term role as speaker of the House of Representatives to serve as a "unifier" for the Republican Party until lawmakers reach a decision on who should take on the post.

McCarthy was removed as speaker of the House last Tuesday after Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., introduced a measure against him known as a motion to vacate, accusing him of breaking promises he made to win the speaker's gavel in January.

"I have been asked to speak as a unifier because I have so many friends in Congress," Trump told Fox News Digital. "If they don’t get the vote, they have asked me if I would consider taking the speakership until they get somebody longer term, because I am running for president." 

TRUMP WOULD ACCEPT HOUSE SPEAKERSHIP FOR A 'SHORT PERIOD' WHILE REPUBLICANS DECIDE ON A PERMANENT REPLACEMENT

"They have asked me if I would take it for a short period of time for the party, until they come to a conclusion – I’m not doing it because I want to – I will do it if necessary, should they not be able to make their decision," Trump said.

Trump did not specify who had asked him, although a number of GOP lawmakers have said he is their preference for speaker.

Trump stressed that if Republicans cannot come to a consensus, he would take the speakership for a short "30, 60 or 90-day period." 

"I would only do it for the party," he said, emphasizing that his focus is on his presidential campaign. 

Back in January, as the House considered who should become the speaker after Republicans took the majority in the chamber, Gaetz opted not to vote for McCarthy or Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida, who was floated as an option, but voted instead for the former president.

When Gaetz’s name was called during the seventh round of voting, he responded: "Donald John Trump." 

Pelosi denies breaking promise to back McCarthy in speakership vote

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Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., on Friday denied that she had promised to support her fellow Californian Rep. Kevin McCarthy as he was ousted as speaker.

"Kevin McCarthy says that you essentially broke a promise to him to keep Democrats with him if there was a vote against him. Is that not true?" FOX 11 Los Angeles anchor Elex Michaelson asked Pelosi in a recent interview. 

Shaking her head, Pelosi said she had never promised to help McCarthy, R-Calif., remain as speaker.

"Not really. I had no promise to him," Pelosi told FOX 11. "Our Democratic members made that decision." 

GOP LAWMAKERS DENY REVENGE PLAY AGAINST PELOSI WITH OFFICE EVICTIONS AFTER MCCARTHY OUSTER

McCarthy lost the speaker's gavel this week after a handful of hardliners in the Republican conference led by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., forced a vote to vacate the chair. Eight Republicans and every Democrat voted together to remove McCarthy as House speaker. 

At a press conference after the vote, McCarthy blamed Democrats for his ouster, arguing they should have voted against the motion to vacate the chair for institutional reasons.

McCarthy claimed to have had a discussion with Pelosi in the days leading up to the vote and told reporters she had promised to support him.

But Pelosi said Democrats had numerous reasons to vote to oust McCarthy, citing the Republican-led impeachment inquiry into President Biden and McCarthy's support for former President Donald Trump after the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. 

NANCY PELOSI EVICTED FROM HER PRIVATE OFFICE IN THE CAPITOL BY INTERIM HOUSE SPEAKER

"If you don’t respect the institution then don’t expect us to bail you out," she said.

McCarthy has since said he will not run for speaker again. On Friday, he denied reports that he will resign from Congress, saying, "I'm not resigning. I got a lot more work to do." 

McCarthy was succeeded by Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., a temporary replacement until the House votes on a permanent one next week. Among his first acts as speaker pro-tempore, McHenry evicted Pelosi from her private Capitol office in what was claimed to be an act of retaliation after McCarthy was ousted.

However, several GOP lawmakers told Fox News Digital that the evictions were not rooted in vengeance, but rather because the office is reserved for the immediately preceding speaker.

WHO IS PATRICK MCHENRY, SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE OF HOUSE FOLLOWING MCCARTHY'S OUSTER?

"This was a decision by Speaker Pelosi in getting removed because that is the office for the former speaker," Louisiana GOP Rep. Garret Graves told Fox News Digital on Wednesday.

"She's no longer the immediately preceding speaker so that was a decision she made by evicting Kevin McCarthy," Graves continued. "That was her own decision."

House Freedom Caucus chairman Scott Perry, R-Pa., said the evictions were not done in revenge but that it seems to him "unfortunately that we have an unexpected recent vacancy in this with the speaker's office and that speaker that's been recently the speaker now has to have a place per the rules."

"So that [place] needs to be reoccupied or occupied by somebody different," Perry said. "That's just the that's just the flow of business here."

Fox News' Houston Keene contributed to this report.

White House mocks ‘dysfunction-engulfed House Republicans’ amid speaker battle

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The White House mocked "dysfunction-engulfed House Republicans" Friday as they work to select a new speaker of the House, while praising President Biden for focusing on the economy and the American people.

The House of Representatives, in a historic first on Tuesday, voted to remove Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., as speaker of the House, after Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., introduced a motion to vacate.

McCarthy’s removal came just days after a continuing resolution was agreed upon to continue funding the government, despite weeks of GOP infighting over Ukraine aid. The government was set to run out of funding on Sept. 30, but Congress managed to come to an agreement in the 11th hour.

TRUMP ENDORSES JIM JORDAN FOR SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: 'COMPLETE & TOTAL ENDORSEMENT'

Now, the House Republican Conference is considering who should serve as the next House speaker, with Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., the top options.

Over at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, though, White House officials are mocking House Republicans for being unable to "get their act together." 

HOUSE REPUBLICANS MOVE 'FULL STEAM AHEAD' ON IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY EVEN AMID SPEAKER UNCERTAINTY

In a memo Friday, White House Deputy Press Secretary and Senior Communications Adviser Andrew Bates touted President Biden’s work in extending his "record of historic job gains powering the United States economy."

"But while the President leads by putting hardworking families first and growing our economy with solid and tested plans, House Republicans are threatening to raise costs and kill jobs as their conference devolves into chaotic bickering and they insist on radical MAGAnomics policies," Bates wrote.

"Less than one week ago, the House GOP attempted to singlehandedly shut down the American government unless they could make severe cuts to small businesses, manufacturing, law enforcement, and border security, while raising health care and housing costs," he wrote.

JORDAN GAINS SUPPORT FROM TOP REPUBLICANS FOR SPEAKER TO ‘UNITE’ MODERATES, CONSERVATIVES

Bates added: "When the government remained open, for the good of all Americans, they turned on each other and made the only chamber of Congress they control dysfunctional."

"Now, nearly a week since they unseated the Speaker of the House, congressional Republicans still can’t get their act together," he continued.

Bates warned that in the next government funding debate, Republicans could "again try to force painful cuts for the middle class onto the country, even though they support deficit-hiking tax welfare for rich special interests at the same time."

"This is a choice that boils down to economic growth and progress versus divisive infighting and losing out to countries like China," he wrote, while touting "Bidenomics" for "fulfilling the long-sought return of manufacturing to the United States — including in a multitude of red states — producing historic job growth, and lowering prescription drug and energy costs."

TRUMP WOULD ACCEPT HOUSE SPEAKERSHIP FOR A 'SHORT PERIOD' WHILE REPUBLICANS DECIDE ON A PERMANENT REPLACEMENT

"MAGAnomics represents dysfunction as House Republicans fall over each other and point fingers as they try to sell the middle class out to giant corporations and the wealthy," he wrote.

The Bates memo comes after White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Tuesday, following the vote to remove McCarthy, said President Biden hopes Republicans "quickly" elect a speaker. 

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"President Biden has demonstrated that he is always eager to work with both parties in Congress in good faith on behalf of the American people," she said. "Because the urgent challenges facing our nation will not wait, he hopes the House will quickly elect a speaker." 

She added: "Once the House has met their responsibility to elect a speaker, he looks forward to working together with them and with the Senate to address the American peoples’ priorities." 

On Tuesday, House Republicans are set to meet for a candidate forum, to consider their options. They are expected to vote on a House speaker on Wednesday. 

Republican investigations proceed despite House Speaker drama: ‘Keeping our foot on the gas’

Posted on by Latest Political News on Fox News

House Republicans' sprawling oversight investigations into the Biden administration are continuing apace despite the vote Tuesday to oust former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, which left the chamber's top office vacant.

Multiple House committees — which are conducting investigations on everything from President Biden's border policies and disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal to how his climate agenda may benefit China and his son Hunter's business dealings — are proceeding with their oversight, GOP lawmakers, staff and aides told Fox News Digital. The continuation of the House probes comes days after McCarthy was voted out in a stunning 216-210 vote.

"The House Committee on Homeland Security is going to continue our comprehensive oversight of Secretary Mayorkas’ dereliction of duty and the handling of his self-inflicted crisis at the Southwest border," Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green, R-Tenn., told Fox News Digital. "We are also keeping our foot on the gas with investigations into issues like DHS’s censorship of Americans and President Biden’s botched Afghanistan withdrawal."

"Functionally, very little has changed for our Committee — we are still planning hearings, gathering evidence, and conducting transcribed interviews with individuals closely connected to these important issues," he continued. "The American people sent us here to deal with these matters, and we’re going to keep doing so, and the political back-and-forth of Washington is not going to distract us from our objectives — getting answers, delivering accountability, and providing a voice for the American people who are fed up with the incompetence and extremism of the Biden administration."

REPUBLICANS PLAN OVERSIGHT INTO HOW BIDEN ADMIN'S GREEN PUSH BENEFITS CHINA: 'NOTHING IS OFF THE TABLE'

Under Green's leadership, the committee has pursued investigations into Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas' "dereliction of duty" related to border security, the rising number of individuals with terrorist ties illegally crossing the southern border, and the Biden administration’s vetting of Afghan citizens relocated to the U.S. after the August 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The Homeland Security Committee has also pursued joint investigations into Mayorkas, and the Department of Homeland Security and its subagencies including Customs and Border Protection with the House Select Committee on China and House Oversight and Accountability Committee.

"The House Oversight Committee’s work continues," an Oversight Committee spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "The Committee is continuing to review documents, records, and communications and will take further action in the coming days."

WHAT DOES MCCARTHY'S REMOVAL MEAN FOR BIDEN INVESTIGATIONS, DAILY FUNCTIONING OF THE HOUSE? EXPERTS WEIGH IN

The Oversight Committee has taken the lead on a wide range of investigations into various Biden administration programs and actions. The panel, which has broad investigative powers, has coordinated joint investigations with other committees into the administration over, for example, its border policies, its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and an incident where police were called on Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm's staff during an electric vehicle road trip.

The panel has also led the House's investigations into the Biden family with a particular focus on the president's son who has previously engaged in various foreign business dealings. Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer opened an impeachment inquiry against Biden last month as part of that investigation.

"Since assuming our Republican majority in January, the House Oversight and Accountability Committee has uncovered a mountain of evidence revealing how Joe Biden abused his public office for his family’s financial gain," Comer remarked during a Sept. 28 impeachment inquiry hearing. 

"The American people demand accountability for this culture of corruption," he continued. "They demand to know how these schemes have compromised President Biden and threaten our national security."

LEGAL EXPERTS DIVIDED OVER BIDEN IMPEACHMENT CASE BUT AGREE ON ONE POINT

In addition, the House Natural Resources Committee has taken the lead on oversight into the Biden administration's efforts to curb federal land uses for energy development. The committee has also pursued investigations into the relationship between environmental groups with significant White House influence and foreign donors.

"We are continuing with our normal operations here on committee," Natural Resources Committee spokesperson Rebekah Hoshiko told Fox News Digital. "No House proceedings have changed the fact that the Biden administration’s failed policies are actively harming American families, and they need to be held accountable. Lots more to come in our oversight efforts."

The House Energy and Commerce Committee has opened wide-ranging probes into both health and energy policies pursued by the Biden administration.

For example, the committee is conducting oversight into federal laboratory biosafety practices and the handling of dangerous pathogens in bioresearch, the National Institutes of Health’s effectiveness in overseeing grant funding, and how the aggressive push to adopt electric vehicles may benefit Chinese industry.

Recently, the committee announced a probe into U.S. automaker Ford Motor Company over its partnership with Chinese battery firm Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL). Weeks after the announcement, Ford put the project on hold and said it wasn't committed to the investment.

OVERSIGHT REPUBLICANS PROBE BIDEN ADMIN'S 'BAIT-AND-SWITCH' CRACKDOWN ON FOSSIL FUEL POWER PLANTS

"From surging gas prices to the crisis at the southern border, the American people deserve accountability from the Biden administration for making their lives worse," a GOP Energy and Commerce Committee aide told Fox News Digital. "Our oversight work is continuing."

The motion to vacate the speaker was filed late Monday by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., and joined by seven fellow Republicans and every House Democrat. Following the vote Tuesday, McCarthy, who served for just 269 days, said he wouldn't run for speaker again.

Reps. Steve Scalise, R-La., the House majority leader; Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee; Tom Emmer, R-Minn., the House majority whip; Mike Johnson, R-La., Jodey Arrington, R-Texas; and Kevin Hern, R-Okla., who chairs the Republican Study Committee, have all been floated as possible replacements to McCarthy.

Scalise and Jordan both announced they would formally run for House Speaker on Wednesday.