Inside the battle for the next House speaker

CNN: Rep. Kevin McCarthy, who is quietly locking down support to be the next House speaker, is privately assuring Republicans he'll take a tougher stand against the White House -- and also the Senate GOP leadership, according to people familiar with the talks.

Hours after Rep. John Boehner abruptly announced Friday that he'd resign his speakership, the California Republican has spoken to nearly every GOP lawmaker in his caucus, seeking their input and calling for party unity, according to a person with knowledge of the conversations.

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