McCarthy holdout Andy Biggs sees a 'few positives' in speaker battle

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Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), who voted against Rep. Kevin McCarthy's (R-CA) bid for speaker of the House, said that the opposition effort against McCarthy "revealed a few positives," despite being unsuccessful.

Biggs was one of 20 Republican House members to vote against McCarthy, resulting in a showdown that lasted 15 consecutive ballots before McCarthy was able to secure enough votes. Biggs held out until the end, voting "present" in the final vote. Despite his apparent defeat, however, Biggs said that he read the episode positively.

MCCARTHY SAYS DRAWN-OUT SPEAKER FIGHT WAS GOOD FOR REPUBLICANS: 'WE'VE LEARNED HOW TO GOVERN'

"For months, I led an effort to elect a House Speaker that would change the status quo and advance America First principles. I challenged Kevin McCarthy for House Speaker in multiple ballots, nominated several individuals who I thought could serve as viable alternative Speaker candidates, and stayed true to my word that I would not vote for Kevin McCarthy as House Speaker despite facing immense pressure from his machine," he said in a statement posted to Twitter.

"On the 15th ballot, it became clear that Kevin had the votes to become the next House Speaker and my objection to him wouldn't hold anymore. While this may have not been the overall outcome that you wanted, the opposition effort still revealed a few positives," he continued.

Biggs went on to list three of his positive takeaways.

"First, we deliberated as a body for the first time in a long time and showed glimpses of what a bona fide constitutional republic should

look like. We ought to keep doing that. Second, we secured concessions that decentralize power from Leadership and gives power back to the people. And finally, we proved that the House Speakership is earned, not given," he said.

He went on to congratulate McCarthy on his victory, and announced his openness to work with the new House speaker.

McCarthy finally won the speakership on Friday following a week-long period of intense negotiating. He gave a similar message of optimism in his first address as speaker of the House.

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"Because it took this long, now we've learned how to govern. So now we'll be able to get the job done," he said. "At the end of the day, we're going to be more effective, more efficient and definitely government is going to be more accountable."

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Tags: Kevin McCarthy, Speaker of the House, Speaker, Establishment GOP, GOP, House of Representatives

Original Author: Brady Knox

Original Location: McCarthy holdout Andy Biggs sees a 'few positives' in speaker battle