McCarthy tries to lock up top job

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

Stunned and divided, House Republicans sought a way forward Tuesday as Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy pledged to bring them together after Speaker John Boehner’s sudden resignation.

The five-term California Republican moved aggressively to lock up support to move into Congress’ top job, second in line to the presidency. He faced little serious competition, though the same hard-line conservatives who forced Boehner out command enough votes to complicate McCarthy’s ascent.

Some conservatives have announced they wanted to draft Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., the chairman of the special panel investigating the 2012 Benghazi, Libya, attacks, and Hillary Clinton. Gowdy took himself out of the running late in the day.

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana and Budget Committee Chairman Tom Price of Georgia already are competing fiercely for the No. 2 job.