Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) delivered a farewell speech on the House floor Thursday as he wrapped up his final legislative day after announcing his surprise resignation in early December. His resignation becomes official at the end of the year and will mark the end of a 17-year stint in Congress, which included a ninth-month period as Speaker of the House.

Although his tenure has been tumultuous at times, McCarthy insists he would not do anything differently if he had to do it over again. He said:

One thing I think we must quite understand, and if there’s advice I can give: Do not be fearful if you believe your philosophy brings people more freedom. Do not be fearful that you could lose your job over it. I knew the day we decided to make sure to choose to pay our troops while war was breaking out, instead of shutting down, was the right decision. I also knew a few would make a motion.

Somehow they disagreed with that decision. Do it anyways. I would do it all again.

“Do not be fearful if you believe your philosophy brings people more freedom … that you could lose your job over it … Do it anyways. I would do it all again.”

— Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) gives a farewell speech ahead of his resignation at the end of the year pic.twitter.com/M34FNgPWXD

— The Recount (@therecount) December 14, 2023

RedState's Joe Cunningham describes the former Speaker's career:

McCarthy's tenure in House leadership began during the Obama Administration, with the California Republican becoming a top lieutenant under then-Speaker John Boehner. When Boehner left Congress, McCarthy was seen as next-in-line for the Speakership, only to withdraw his name at the last minute. Worried, Republicans convinced Paul Ryan to become Speaker, which he did.

McCarthy then became the leader of House Republicans when Ryan left Congress. He finally achieved his goal of becoming Speaker this year, when he survived multiple leadership votes and negotiated with conservatives who finally voted for his speakership.

It did not last, however, as a coup from Matt Gaetz forced McCarthy out of the job - a job since taken over by Louisiana conservative Mike Johnson.

McCarthy spoke to a mostly empty chamber "with just a handful of Republicans sitting on the floor to listen to his remarks" (many lawmakers have already headed home for the holidays), but was hugged by two allies, Reps. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) and French Hill (R-AR) after he was done. Throughout, he stressed that you should do the right thing even if it costs you personally:

We should never allow this body to stop doing what is right. So if you come across that question of whether you should do what’s right out of fear of losing your job, do it anyways ‘cause it’s the right thing to do and this is what the nation requires.

I think putting people before politics is always the right answer.

Speaker McCarthy's final speech as a member of Congress: "I think putting people before politics is always the right answer."

Hugs Fmr. Speaker Pro-Tem Patrick McHenry and stands for applause from the members of the House GOP who haven't already ran home for the holidays. pic.twitter.com/cuBF5be0Dy

— Nathaniel Reed (@ReedReports) December 14, 2023

As for the Bakersfield, CA, Republican's future, he has said that Donald Trump can expect his full support in his presidential bid and that he would consider a position in a Trump cabinet if offered.

RedState will update you on his next move.