Guess Who Plans to Leave Congress by the End of the Year?

Kevin McCarthy, former House Speaker, and Congressman, has announced that he will leave Congress at the end of this year, but he vows to “stay in the fight”.

McCarthy wrote in an op/ed piece for the Wall Street Journal that he reflected on his experience as a member of Congress, before making this announcement. He said, “No matter what the odds or the personal cost was, we did the right thing.”

We did the right thing, no matter what the odds or the personal cost. It may be out of style in Washington, but the American public still celebrates delivering results.

In this spirit, I’ve decided to leave the House of Representatives at the end of this year and serve America in a new way. I know that my work has just begun.

I will continue to encourage the best and brightest in our country to run for office. The Republican Party continues to grow, and I’m committed to using my experience to help the next generation of Republican leaders.

McCarthy’s tenure as a leader in the House began under the Obama Administration. The California Republican was a top lieutenant to then-Speaker John Boehner. McCarthy had been considered the next in line for the Speakership when Boehner resigned from Congress. However, he backed out at the last moment. Republicans were worried and convinced Paul Ryan, who became Speaker.

McCarthy became the leader of the House Republicans after Ryan left Congress. McCarthy finally became Speaker of the House this year after surviving multiple leadership votes. He also negotiated with conservatives, who voted in favor of his speakership.

McCarthy’s tenure was short-lived, however, when a Matt Gaetz coup forced him out of his job, which has since been taken over by Louisiana conservative Mike Johnson.

After the news broke of his imminent retirement, the outgoing congressman created a video to pay tribute to himself.

McCarthy’s op-ed reflects his experience as a Republican leader.

He does not regret his time as a member of Congress.

I began my career as an owner of a small business, and I am looking forward to helping risk-takers and entrepreneurs reach their full potential. Innovation is more likely than legislation to solve the challenges we face.

When I first entered the ring, I could not have imagined what would happen. I leave knowing that I have left everything on the field, and I always do so with a smile. Looking back, I would not have wanted it any other.

Some, like the Speaker, may regret this decision. Mike Johnson, with a slim majority in the House, will need to work harder than ever to hold together a fraying conference. This conference began to fray under McCarthy’s leadership.