WASHINGTON (AP) — House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy is promising conservative GOP lawmakers "I'm not John Boehner" as he seeks their support to replace Boehner (BAY'-nuhr) as speaker.
McCarthy and his two Republican rivals for the speaker's job took turns meeting behind closed doors Tuesday night with a coalition of four groups comprising the most conservative members in the House. These are the lawmakers who forced Boehner to resign and now they're maneuvering to deny his No. 2, McCarthy, the chance to ascend unless he agrees to various demands.
Lawmakers present say McCarthy pledged changes to the House.
Congressman Blake Farenthold says McCarthy's pitch is that he's not John Boehner and will run things differently.