Kevin Brady backs Kevin McCarthy to replace Paul Ryan as speaker

Rep. Kevin Brady, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, said Friday that he is backing House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy to be the next House speaker after Paul Ryan retires from office.

Brady, R-Texas, told radio host Hugh Hewitt that he believes McCarthy, R-Calif., will ultimately replace Ryan, R-Wis., atop leadership, but cautioned that the caucus is not “distracted” by a possible speaker’s race. Republicans are pushing to retain their 23-seat House majority in November.