OPINION:
Rep. Kevin McCarthy said Monday he is open to coming back as House speaker if his fellow Republicans in Congress will support his return. Mr. McCarthy’s return would serve as a much-needed inspiration, not only to Republicans but also to all Americans, as well as Israelis and Ukrainians who are struggling to expel invading forces from their sovereign lands.
As the world continues to see the deep divide being caused by the exhausting Biden-Trump rivalry, Mr. McCarthy has emerged as a symbol of calm and reason who has managed to pull Congress together, proving that the U.S. is still capable of leading the free world.
He has also shown stalwart support for Israel and Ukraine. Unlike the radicals on the left that condemn Jerusalem and isolationists on the right who show contempt for Kyiv, the California Republican clearly understands the difference between good and evil.
Unlike his manipulative ousters, Mr. McCarthy has never confused issues by making irrational comparisons, suggesting that supporting our allies abroad necessarily means we cannot secure our border or balance our budget. Many of the complaints Mr. McCarthy’s opponents had were either the result of decades of legislative dysfunction or bad policy decisions made by the Biden administration, which it could correct unilaterally if it elected to do so.
Many of the problems Mr. McCarthy’s ousters complained of have nothing to do with his leadership choices, and to suggest otherwise was dishonest and Machiavellian, especially when the GOP is clinging to power in the House by its cat claws.
Considering the slim majority the Republicans hold, Mr. McCarthy has done an extraordinary job. He has not only managed to help avoid a federal government shutdown to ensure our border remains secure and our armed forces have optimal support, but also helped Republicans cut $20 billion from three appropriations bills that defunded travel expenses for abortion while making cuts to climate change programs.
He also passed a military construction and veterans affairs bill banning the use of funds to “promote critical race theory” or advance any of President Biden’s executive orders involving “diversity, equity and inclusion.”
Republicans under Mr. McCarthy’s leadership also helped advance much-needed oversight investigations. This Congress, Republicans passed a resolution establishing a subcommittee to investigate weaponization of the Justice Department and recruited 146 Democrats in creating a bipartisan select committee to investigate threats posed by China.
Mr. McCarthy also announced last month, the opening of a formal impeachment inquiry into how the Biden family made millions from foreign firms. While the Lower Energy Costs Act did not pass in the Senate, Mr. McCarthy passed the much-needed pro-natural gas legislation in the House.
While Republicans have much to celebrate with Mr. McCarthy’s achievements, Democrats interested in bipartisanship should consider showing their support for the former House speaker. While other potential speaker candidates such as Reps. Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan have proved effective, loyal Republicans, their leadership style is not as diplomatic as Mr. McCarthy’s, a vital trait to lead this particular Congress. Whether hard-line Republicans like it or not, this House of Representatives is almost evenly divided, and there is little chance of getting much accomplished without bipartisan cooperation.
This is not the time for the confrontational tactics demonstrated by Mr. McCarthy’s ousters or some of his harsh Democratic critics. With conflict continuing in Eurasia, bloodshed erupting in the Middle East, and the U.S. edging closer to war in the Pacific, members of both parties should have the sense and integrity to put their petty differences aside and focus on legislation that focuses on securing the U.S. and supporting our allies.
Many of the complaints raised Mr. McCarthy’s ousters were institutional problems involving congressional procedure, while others were “missions impossible.” Effective leaders understand the importance of timing in any battle, and Mr. McCarthy clearly knows which battles the Republican Party can win to advance its interests.
Heralding losing battles in the tradition of idealism for ego and glory, as Mr. McCarthy’s ousters seem intent on, is not an effective strategy for victory. It is a recipe for defeat.
When Mr. McCarthy was ousted, the news media illuminated that the move made history since no House speaker had ever been removed on a motion to vacate. Republicans and Democrats alike have the opportunity to make history once again, but this time for the good of our nation, and to show the world that our Congress is not infallible, that it is capable of correcting its mistakes, and that it is willing to right its wrongs.
The GOP can help the U.S. achieve such an impression by restoring the former House speaker to his rightful position. This is an opportunity to show the world that our largest governmental chamber cannot be rendered leaderless by a few irrational, rogue voices.
It is time to recall House Speaker Kevin McCarthy so that Congress can govern effectively, inspire confidence in our armed forces, and assure our allies that the leader of the free world stands united.
• Jeffrey Scott Shapiro, a former Washington prosecutor, served as a senior adviser and director of the U.S. Office of Cuba Broadcasting from 2017 to 2021. He now serves as a member of The Washington Times’ editorial board.
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