Opposition to McCarthy Grows as House of Representatives Prepare to Elect New Leader

House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) speaks to reporters outside the White House in Washington on Nov. 29, 2022. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

The U.S. House of Representatives is set to elect a new leader on Jan. 3 as Republicans take control of the lower chamber.

Speakers typically come from the majority party and Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), the top Republican in the chamber since 2019, was nominated by GOP members as the party’s speaker candidate.