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June 19, 2014

McCarthy new House majority leader

June 20, 2014 – House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., will succeed Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va., as Majority Leader after Cantor steps down from that post July 31.

Cantor lost his primary bid earlier this month and said he would be relinquishing his leadership post at the end of July.

In Thursday's voting for the Republican leadership posts, McCarthy beat challenger Rep. Raul Labrador, R-Idaho, for the majority leader post. NAFCU has maintained a good relationship with McCarthy, who currently serves on the House Financial Services Committee. His ascension to majority leader will likely see him leave that committee, which will create an opening that will need to be filled.

Assuming the leadership role McCarthy will be leaving – the No. 3 position on the House Republican leadership team – will be Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana.

Politico noted that it was a tight race to decide the next House Majority Whip, as it came down to Reps. Marlin Stutzman of Indiana, Peter Roskam of Illinois and Scalise.

"NAFCU congratulates both Kevin McCarthy and Steve Scalise on their new leadership roles," said NAFCU Vice President of Political Affairs Katie Marisic. "We look forward to working with the new House leadership and continuing the movement of pro-credit union legislation on Capitol Hill."