Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) believes former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) will be the next lawmaker to leave Congress after George Santos was expelled from the House last week.
“With Santos gone, you’re hearing it here first: the next GOP member to leave Congress” will be Kevin McCarthy, Swalwell posted to X on Saturday.
“No way he stays. A guy who kidney punches his colleagues from behind is too afraid to serve out a full term with them,” he continued. “I bet he’s gone by end of year. What say you?.”
Swalwell’s “kidney punches” remark refers to an incident at the Capitol last month where McCarthy allegedly shoved Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.).
McCarty denied that it was intentional, telling CNN at the time that he “didn’t shove or elbow him, it’s a tight hallway.”
Burchett is one of the eight Republicans who voted with all Democrats to remove McCarthy as Speaker in October. McCarthy has since dubbed them the “crazy eight” and questioned whether they are are even conservatives.
McCarthy has denied reports that he plans to retire after losing the speaker’s gavel.
“I’m not resigning,” McCarthy told reporters in October. When asked if he will run for reelection next year, he responded, “Yes, yes.”
