McCarthy Says He Supports Stefanik Over Cheney for House Republican Conference Chair

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) whispers to Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) during a House Republican Leadership news conference in the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Feb. 24, 2021. Al Drago/Getty Images

House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) stated that he supports Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) over House No. 3 Republican Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) amid a high-profile dispute over the party’s support for former President Donald Trump and its messaging moving forward.

In an interview Sunday, McCarthy said the House Republican Conference chair, which Cheney currently occupies, needs to be a spokesperson for the party’s goals, including taking back the majority in 2022.