It turns out time really is money.
A hours-long speech by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) that delayed House Democrats’ passage of their sweeping social spending bill earlier this month proved to be a lucrative fundraiser — bringing in more than $400,000 in donations, a senior GOP aide confirmed to The Post on Tuesday.
More than 18,000 donors contributed to the effort, with $100,000 being raked in almost immediately after McCarthy’s eight-and-a-half-hour speech — in which he railed against Democratic policies and touched on unrelated topics like baby carrots.
The massive fundraising haul, which was first reported by Fox News, comes as the GOP grows more confident in its ability to take back control of the House following the 2022 midterm elections. The party currently needs to flip just five seats to regain the majority.
McCarthy, who is the top contender to become House speaker in the event Republicans gain control, has developed a reputation as a prolific fundraiser — which he hopes to employ to secure the support needed to succeed Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) as the most powerful lawmaker in the lower chamber.
In the first three quarters of 2021, McCarthy has raised $57.8 million and has transferred $19.4 million to the National Republican Congressional Committee, the House GOP’s campaign arm, $8.3 million to GOP members and $2.3 million to state parties to aid in their efforts to gain seats.
The McCarthy Victory Fund is also expected to launch an ad campaign calling on voters to “fire Pelosi” and taking aim at Democratic policies, which Republicans argue have led to an uptick in inflation and crime.
While McCarthy is hopeful about his odds of becoming the next speaker, multiple GOP members have told The Post his elevation is not a sure thing due to divisions within the conference.
A handful of conservative hardliners have floated nominating former President Donald Trump for House speaker should Republicans regain the House after next year’s elections. (The speaker does not have to be a current member of Congress.) While the move is unlikely to garner the support of centrist Republicans, it could deny McCarthy the votes he needs and force Republicans to turn to a compromise candidate.