No matter the odds, or personal cost, we did the right thing. That may seem out of fashion in Washington these days, but delivering results for the American people is still celebrated across the country.

It is in this spirit that I have decided to depart the House at the end of this year to serve America in new ways. I know my work is only getting started.

I will continue to recruit our country’s best and brightest to run for elected office. The Republican Party is expanding every day, and I am committed to lending my experience to support the next generation of leaders.

[McCarthy was a fundraising juggernaut for House Republicans. If Mike Johnson can’t come up to speed, this could be a bad cycle for the GOP. There is no calculation possible in which Republicans profited from Matt Gaetz’ stunt. And now the GOP’s margin in the House is down to three seats for at least a couple of months, while the same budget issues are requiring the same budget steps McCarthy was taking all along. — Ed]