House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy always stands by President Trump.
Unlike former Speaker Paul Ryan, his predecessor in the House Republican leadership, McCarthy does not distance himself from the president or even his most eyebrow-raising tweets.
The two talk on the phone frequently and have largely aligned their agendas in an effort to secure Trump’s second term and regain the House majority that Democrats seized from the GOP in the 2018 midterm elections.
McCarthy, 55, is considered one of Trump’s closest and most loyal allies in Congress and is rolling out in September what he describes as “a unified commitment to America” that outlines the GOP agenda.
It was written in coordination with the Trump administration and renews the GOP’s focus on ending the coronavirus outbreak with vaccines and treatment, helping the economy recover by creating 10 million new jobs, ending the United States’s dependence on China, rebuilding infrastructure, improving schools and school choice, and other initiatives.
McCarthy has helped amplify Trump’s message that a win by Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden would usher in a left-wing agenda to raise taxes, depress the economy with a “Green New Deal,” and eliminate popular educational programs, including charter schools and vouchers.
“Now, more than ever, our constituents deserve to know exactly where we stand and how we plan to combat the radical Democrat agenda to defund our police, border patrol, and military, dismantle our Constitution and democratic institutions and destroy our economy and standing in the world,” McCarthy recently wrote to the Republican conference.
McCarthy has a steep climb ahead to try to win back the majority from Democrats. Republicans would need to win more than 20 seats from Democrats without losing any they now hold, and race analysts suggest they may not pick up many new seats at all.
McCarthy’s own fortunes are closely tied to Trump’s.
If the president loses in November and Republicans make few gains in House races, McCarthy will likely face a challenge to his leadership from GOP lieutenants and Republican conference restless for change.
McCarthy is taking his chances with Trump.
“As you cast your vote this November, remember this: Four years ago, President Trump promised to be your voice,” McCarthy said in a speech at the Republican National Convention. “He kept that promise. But there’s still so much more to do.”
