Republican Congressman Calls for McCarthy to Step Aside in Speaker Race as Opposition Grows

Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) speaks during a news conference in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Aug. 31, 2021. Alex Wong/Getty Images

Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) is calling on House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) to step aside in the race for the next House speaker, arguing that a new candidate is needed.

“I don’t think he’s going to get to 218,” Biggs said on Newsmax on Nov. 18, referring to the number of votes needed to secure the speakership.