Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) Is the Interim Speaker of the House
Following the historic unseating of Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) as speaker of the House, Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.), a member of Congress since 2005, has been named interim speaker.
While not known for his positions on immigration matters (and not very well known nationally at all), NumbersUSA has given him grades for his voting record in this Congress and for his entire career on the Hill.
NumbersUSA rates his voting record an A- for the current Congress with an 89 percent record, an improvement over his career grade of B at 77 percent.
McHenry’s elevation was not through a floor vote, but by the actions of a previously obscure part of the House’s leadership machinery dealing with the succession to the leadership in emergency situations. His principal task is expected to be presiding over the selection of a new speaker.
Will he be a candidate for that position? Probably not, but who knows what will happen as the House moves into new territory; no other speaker has been removed during a term.
McHenry came into the House at the young age of 29; he is currently the deputy chief whip of the GOP’s slim majority; his committee assignments have dealt with financial matters. We did not hear his name among the members of the House who led the fight against McCarthy.
