Freedom Caucus won’t back ousting McCarthy over debt ceiling — for now

The House Freedom Caucus, the same group of conservative Republicans who made it so difficult for Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., to win his speaker vote, said they will not try to oust McCarthy while the debt limit talks are ongoing. But what happens after this negotiation ends is another story. 

When the group was asked whether using what’s called a “motion to vacate the chair” is on the table, only Rep. Dan Bishop, R-N.C., raised his hand to say yes. But multiple members of the conference are openly expressing frustration with the speaker. 

“McCarthy has lost trust in how this has been handled,” Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., told reporters.

Norman dismissed talks of trying to push McCarthy out. 

But just before a caucus press conference, Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, said in an interview with conservative commentator Glenn Beck that if the newly negotiated debt limit bill passes, “we’re going to have to then regroup and figure out the whole leadership arrangement again.”

The caucus chairman also said they will reevaluate. 

“We are focused, I’ll let each member speak for themselves. But for me, I’m focused on defeating this bill. What happens post that and the agreements that we have, we will decide once we we’ve determined the disposition of this bill and its finality,” Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., said. 

When Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., was asked, he said he doesn’t see that happening. 

McCarthy made multiple concessions to House conservatives to win his speaker vote this January. Those concessions included a rule allowing any single member to bring forward a vote of no confidence in his leadership.

They’re now threatening to do exactly that if what’s approved is too far removed from the Limit, Save, Grow Act House Republicans passed in April.