McCarthy To Leave Congress At End Of Month - GOP Majority To Shrink To Two

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has confirmed in a Wall Street Journal op-ed that he will, "depart the House at the end of this year," following intense speculation about his political future since he was ousted from Speaker's chair in September.

• He retirement is a major blow for the House Republican leadership, and comes in the immediate aftermath of former New York Republican Rep George Santos' expulsion from Congress and shrinks the Republican majority in the House to two votes.
• GOP leadership, likely anticipating McCarthy's decision to retire from Congress, made a last-minute failed bid to whip opposition to Santos' expulsion vote.
• McCarthy's early exit from Congress further suggests that the elevation of Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) may squeeze moderates out of positions of power with the House Republican Party.
• Last week, Rep Patrick McHenry, an ally of McCarthy who acted as interim speaker for three weeks, announced he would not seek re-election next year.
• Shortly after assuming the speakership, Johnson formally endorsed former President Donald Trump in the GOP presidential race, bucking a position of neutrality adopted by McCarthy and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and offering more evidence that Johnson's House will operate in closer alignment with Trump.