Biden Administration Reacts to McCarthy’s Removal

President Joe Biden speaks at a press conference on Oct. 4, 2023. White House/Screenshot via NTD

In the aftermath of ousted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s (R-Calif.) removal from his position, the Biden Administration seemed to express concern about potential dysfunction within Congress while attempting to maintain an optimistic outlook.

During an Oct. 4 press briefing from the White House, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre acknowledged that the House Speakership race is primarily an internal matter within Congress. However, she emphasized the importance of swiftly selecting a new Speaker to ensure the continuity of legislative processes. Despite being pressed on the candidates vying for the role, KJP refrained from offering commentary on specific candidates for the position.

A member of Mr. McCarthy’s party filed a motion to remove him as House speaker, which the House voted to do. The extraordinary move plunges the House into a heated speaker’s struggle as it fights the schedule to finish appropriations and investigates President Joe Biden’s impeachment.

Firebrand Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) introduced the measure that won the 216–210 vote with only seven additional Republicans, relying on Democrats to remove Mr. McCarthy.

During an Oct. 4 address to journalists later in the day, President Biden commented on the upheaval in the lower house of Congress and how it might impact the ongoing government funding question, saying, “I know it’s going to take some time. But I remind everyone: We had a lot of work—we have a lot of work to do, and the American people expect us to get it done.

“We cannot and should not again be faced with an 11th-hour decision of brinksmanship that threatens to shut down the government. And we know what we have to do ... we have to get [funding] done in a timely fashion.”

The president, however, pivoted to calling for bipartisan unity, saying, “More than anything, we need to change the poisonous atmosphere in Washington. I know we have strong disagreements, but we need to stop seeing each other as enemies. We need to talk to one another, listen to one another, work with one another. And we can do that.

“I join with Minority Leader Jeffers [...] Jeffries in saying to our Republican colleagues: We remain committed to working in a bipartisan fashion. We—we’re prepared to do it as well, for the good of the American people.

Concern for Ukraine Funding

The White House press conference with Ms. Jean-Pierre also touched on President Biden’s working relationship with GOP members, particularly in the context of leadership changes within the House. Ms. Jean-Pierre mentioned that the President maintains a “pretty good” rapport with Republican lawmakers, though specific details were not provided.

One of the key questions raised during the press conference centered on Rep. Jim Jordan’s (R-Ohio) potential candidacy for Speaker. Given Mr. Jordan’s track record of not supporting Ukraine funding, Ms. Jean-Pierre was asked whether the White House regretted not backing McCarthy more vocally during his tenure. The press secretary’s response focused on the administration’s confidence in strong bipartisan support for Ukraine funding, avoiding explicit acknowledgment of any regrets.

President Biden is scheduled to deliver a significant speech on Ukraine later this week, though the exact timing remains uncertain. Ms. Jean-Pierre hinted that the president might explore alternative sources for funding Ukraine in his upcoming address.

Regarding the issue of assistance for Ukraine, Ms. Jean-Pierre reiterated the administration’s belief in robust bipartisan backing for this critical cause. She assured the public that President Biden is willing to work in good faith with the newly elected Speaker to ensure continued support for Ukraine.

The press secretary said on several occasions that the president didn’t have any opinion on who ran for the Speakership and that the administration doesn’t “care who is in the race. The president does not have a vote.”

She also reiterated that the president would work with a new speaker in good faith, and that staffers have been in touch with Congress about funding for Ukraine.

Student Loan Cancelation Announcement

President Biden also announced on Oct. 4 a new round of federal student loan forgiveness as borrowers prepare to resume payments following a three-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The latest initiative of the Democratic president will assist 125,000 debtors by erasing $9 billion in debt through existing debt relief programs. Since President Biden’s election, a total of $127 billion in debt owed by 3.6 million consumers has been canceled.

During his presidential campaign, he pledged to reduce the burden of student debt, and he’s been under pressure to keep his word despite the Supreme Court’s conservative majority striking down his original plan.

To reduce debt, he has relied on a variety of programs, such as public service loan forgiveness and the SAVE Plan, which reduces payments by linking them to a borrower’s income.

Republicans have opposed President Biden’s plans regarding student debt, but Wednesday’s announcement comes at a time when they are preoccupied with intraparty conflict on Capitol Hill.

In addition, the NAACP is lobbying President Biden to expand debt forgiveness by making Parent PLUS loans, which parents use to pay for their children’s college education, eligible for the SAVE Plan. These loans are used by parents to cover the cost of higher education for their children.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.