Andy Biggs says ‘DC Cartel’ must end as Republicans continue negotiations for speakership

Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., tweeted ahead of a potential fourth House vote for speaker that he wants to “break up the DC Cartel” as he continues to oppose the bid by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., for the chamber’s top leadership position.

“Today we have another opportunity to break up the DC Cartel and Uniparty,” Biggs tweeted Wednesday. “Let’s do it.”

The House will reconvene Wednesday at noon after three failed votes for speaker Tuesday due to opposition from a group of Republicans to McCarthy. The first two votes had 19 tallies towards a candidate other than McCarthy, then Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., switched his decision to make the total 20 in a third vote. 

THE VOTE FOR HOUSE SPEAKER: LIVE UPDATES

Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., tweeted ahead of a potential fourth House vote for speaker that he wants to "break up the DC Cartel."
(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Biggs comments appear to be a response to Rep. Kevin Bacon, R-Neb., who referred to McCarthy’s opponents Tuesday as the “Taliban 20.” 

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Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., referred to opponents of House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy as the "Taliban 20."
(AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File)

Donalds said Wednesday on “Fox & Friends” that he switched his vote because McCarthy does not have the needed support to take the speakership. 

“At that point we were basically deadlocked, and it was clear we didn’t have the votes,” Donalds said of his Tuesday flipped vote. “So my thought is, if he doesn’t have the votes, what are we going to do as a conference? We either find someone to get to 218 or at a minimum, adjourn what we were doing and get off the floor so the needed negotiations can happen.”

BYRON DONALDS DEFENDS VOTING AGAINST MCCARTHY FOR SPEAKER: ‘I WANT A RESOLUTION’

 Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., switched his vote for speaker Tuesday.

Former President Trump broke his silence on the speakership votes Wednesday as he reiterated his support for McCarthy. 

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“Some really good conversations took place last night, and it’s now time for all of our GREAT Republican House Members to VOTE FOR KEVIN,” Trump posted on Truth Social. 

“CLOSE THE DEAL, TAKE THE VICTORY, & WATCH CRAZY NANCY PELOSI FLY BACK HOME TO A VERY BROKEN CALIFORNIA,THE ONLY SPEAKER IN U.S. HISTORY TO HAVE LOST THE ‘HOUSE’ TWICE! REPUBLICANS, DO NOT TURN A GREAT TRIUMPH INTO A GIANT & EMBARRASSING DEFEAT. IT’S TIME TO CELEBRATE, YOU DESERVE IT,” the 2024 presidential candidate continued.