Biden: House Speaker Standoff ‘Not a Good Look’

President Joe Biden talks with reporters outside of the White House in Washington on Jan. 4, 2023. AP Photo/Susan Walsh

President Joe Biden criticized House Republicans on Jan. 4, describing their internal conflicts over who should assume the role of speaker of the House as “embarrassing” and “not a good look” for the country.

Speaking at the White House before traveling to an event in Kentucky, Biden said of Republicans, “I hope they get their act together,” adding that “the rest of the world is looking.”

Regarding the speaker vote, he noted: “That’s not my problem. I just think it’s really embarrassing it’s taking so long.”

While the president declined to say whether he had a preferred candidate for the role, he added that he had “no idea” who would win the speakership.

On Jan. 3, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre’s confirmed that Biden “will not insert himself” into the speaker selection process.

“This is something that the Republican conference has to figure out on their own, and they will do so,” she added.

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) arrives at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 4, 2023. Win McNamee/Getty Images

Lack of Consensus

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who served as House minority leader in the last Congress, was favored by many to claim the speakership when the Republicans regained control of the House.

On Tuesday, however, McCarthy failed to win the required 218 votes on three ballots, coming in second to the Democrats’ choice, Hakeem Jeffries’ (D-N.Y.) and losing support among Republicans as additional votes took place. It marked the first time in a century that a speaker had not been selected on the first vote.

In the fourth vote on Wednesday, McCarthy failed yet again to secure the speakership.

Those Republicans who oppose McCarthy for speaker mostly come from the House Freedom Caucus, a Trump-aligned faction that believes the Californian congressman is not conservative enough or tough enough to challenge the Democrats.

Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), who is running against McCarthy for the role of speaker, said in a Twitter post on Wednesday morning before the fourth vote: “George Washington didn’t want to become President. George Washington didn’t want to attend the Philadelphia Constitutional Convention. He eventually changed his mind on both. Perhaps the best person for House Speaker isn’t someone who wants it so badly.”

Another detractor Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.) said Wednesday morning that it was time for Republicans to “move past” McCarthy as an option.

“Kevin McCarthy needs to drop out, he needs to do what’s best for the country, what’s best for the Congress, what’s best for the Republican conference,” Good told NTD, sister media outlet of The Epoch Times.

“We’ll drag this out as long as we need to. It’s worth spending a few days or even a couple of weeks to get a speaker that we’re going to have to live with. And the country cannot afford someone like Kevin McCarthy as speaker and we’re determined not to let that happen for the good of the country.”

McCarthy, however, has rejected any notion of stepping aside, telling reporters Tuesday night, “It’s not going to happen.”

Trump Backs McCarthy

When it first became clear that McCarthy would face opposition in his bid for the speakership, former President Donald Trump endorsed the Californian for the job.

“I think he deserves the shot,” Trump said on Dec. 15. “Hopefully, he’s going to be very strong and going to be very good and he’s going to do what everybody wants.”

While Trump’s appeared to waiver on that position Tuesday following McCarthy’s successive losses, he ultimately reiterated his support Wednesday, taking to Truth Social to encourage all House Republicans to “VOTE FOR KEVIN” and “CLOSE THE DEAL.”

In a rare moment of agreement with his successor, Trump also cautioned his fellow Republicans that continued bickering could be “embarrassing” for the party if it results in a loss of the speakership.

“IT’S TIME TO CELEBRATE, YOU DESERVE IT,” he added. “Kevin McCarthy will do a good job, and maybe even a GREAT JOB - JUST WATCH!”

Voting for the speakership will continue Wednesday, as a speaker is required for new members of Congress to be sworn in and for the chamber to begin conducting business.

The Epoch Times has reached out to McCarthy’s office for comment.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.