WASHINGTON — Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California, who has said he is open to some immigration reforms, was elected House majority leader Thursday by Republicans.
He will replace Rep. Eric Cantor, another immigration-reform advocate who suffered a stunning defeat in a Virginia GOP primary last week at the hands of Tea Party candidate Dave Brat.
Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise was elected to replace McCarthy as House whip.
Within moments of McCarthy’s ascension, the League of United Latin American Citizens issued a statement calling on him to schedule a vote in the House on legislation to overhaul immigration law, including a path to citizenship for millions of immigrants currently living in the country illegally.
McCarthy’s district covering Bakersfield, Calif., is 35 percent Hispanic and he’s indicated he could support some changes to the current law.
He recently told KBFX-TV that he favored giving “legal status that will allow you to work and pay your taxes. If you want to become a citizen, you’ll have to go through the path. There won’t be amnesty inside it.”
McCarthy, 49, triumphed over Rep. Raul Labrador of Idaho to continue his extraordinarily rapid rise through the ranks. The totals of the secret ballot election were not immediately disclosed.
The changes take effect when Cantor steps down as majority leader on July 31.