McCarthy's First Speech as Speaker: 'That Was Easy, Huh?' and Lincoln's Spot in Statuary Hall (January 7, 2023)

After four days and 15 rounds of voting, Kevin McCarthy finally took the Speaker’s chair in the early hours of Jan. 7, 2023 [4]. He opened with a joke. “That was easy, huh? I never thought we would get up here,” McCarthy said [1].

He had a warning for the new Democratic leader. “Thank you, Minority Leader Jeffries. Hakeem, I have got to warn you, 2 years ago, I got 100 percent of the vote from my Conference,” he said [1].

The final count was McCarthy 216, Hakeem Jeffries 212, with 6 voting present, according to the House Clerk [2]. “The 15th and final vote for House speaker gave McCarthy 216 votes,” Fox News reported. “In the end, no Republican voted against McCarthy” [3].

The video above shows part of McCarthy’s first speech as Speaker. Quotes are from the Congressional Record [1].

”My Most Favorite Spot in This Building”

McCarthy told the chamber about a place he likes to visit at night. “My most favorite spot in this building is not in this Chamber. It is in the Chamber they met before, in Statuary Hall. It is my favorite place to take people on a tour. It is where Abraham Lincoln served. He was just a one-term Congressman; sat in the back,” he said [1].

“I like to look over and look at the clock because that is the same clock and same view that Abraham Lincoln saw,” McCarthy said. “I want you to look, and I want you to think: If America could do it then, we can do it now.” [1]

“Not How You Start, It Is How You Finish”

“My father always told me, it is not how you start, it is how you finish. And now we need to finish strong for the American people,” McCarthy said [1].

“If the son of a fireman and the grandchild of immigrants can rise to the highest position in the most important legislative body in our country, and if my colleague, Hakeem Jeffries, with his life story, can rise to lead his party, then opportunity and democracy still thrive in America,” he said [1].

“87,000 IRS Agents”

He promised a fast start. “I know the night is late but when we come back, our very first bill will repeal the funding for 87,000 IRS agents. You see, we believe government should be here to help you, not go after you,” McCarthy said [1].

“It is time for us to be a check and provide some balance to the President’s policies,” he said [1].

”Hold the Swamp Accountable”

McCarthy promised investigations. “Now, speaking of committees, we will hold the swamp accountable,” he said, naming the withdrawal from Afghanistan, “the origins of COVID to the weaponization of the FBI.” [1]

“We will use the power of the purse and the power of the subpoena to get the job done,” he said [1].

On the border, he made a pledge. “That is why one of our very first hearings will be held at the southern border. No more ignoring this crisis of safety and sovereignty. We must secure our border,” McCarthy said [1].

”I Will Never Give Up”

The last holdouts stepped aside rather than vote for Jeffries. “Reps.-elect Andy Biggs of Arizona, Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Elijah Crane of Arizona, Matt Gaetz of Florida, Bob Good of Virginia and Matt Rosendale of Montana voted ‘present’ in the final round,” Fox News reported [3].

Conservatives won promises in the talks. McCarthy “agreed to votes on term limits and the adoption of a budget resolution that balances the budget in 10 years, and a cap on fiscal year 2024 spending at FY 2022 levels,” Fox reported [3].

“I hope one thing is clear after this week: I will never give up,” McCarthy said after the vote. “Our nation is worth fighting for.” [3]

“He Was With Me From the Beginning”

Afterward, McCarthy credited the former President. “I do want to especially thank President Trump,” McCarthy told reporters, according to Fox News. “I don’t think anybody should doubt his influence. He was with me from the beginning … he was all in.” [4]

By the Numbers

15: rounds of voting before McCarthy won, per Fox News [3].
216-212: McCarthy’s margin over Jeffries, with 6 present [2].
12:34 a.m.: when the final vote was recorded, per the House Clerk [2].
221-210: the House vote to pass the IRS bill two days later [5].
365-65: the vote to create the select committee on China [6].

What Happened Next

The first bill passed. On Jan. 9, 2023, the House passed H.R. 23, the “Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act,” 221 to 210, according to the House Clerk [5].

The committees came next. On Jan. 10, the House voted 365 to 65 to create the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, and 221 to 211 to establish a Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, the Clerk’s records show [6][7].

For the speakership fight that came before, see HYGO News’ page on Biden and the Speaker fight.