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Kevin McCarthy to speak at GOP convention

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July 11, 2016 at 9:06 p.m. EDT
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) (Photo by Melina Mara/The Washington Post)

Updated at 9:47 p.m.

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is slated to deliver a prominently timed speech at the Republican National Convention, two people with knowledge of his plans in Cleveland confirmed to The Washington Post on Monday, joining a roster of high-profile congressional Republicans slated to give addresses there next week.

McCarthy's speech is expected to focus on the House GOP's "Better Way" agenda and on building party unity.

The California Republican was first elected to the House in 2006. McCarthy shocked the political world last year when he dropped out of the race to succeed John A. Boehner of Ohio as speaker of the House.

(Milbank: For Rep. McCarthy, the likely new House speaker, words still fail him)

In addition to McCarthy, Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) are slated to speak at the convention. House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) is also reportedly speaking at the gathering where Donald Trump is expected to be officially nominated for president.

(House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy drops out of race for House speaker)

A Trump campaign spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A McCarthy spokesman did not immediately comment.

Trump has not yet released his full slate of convention speakers. The convention kicks off on Monday.

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif). says he does not want to be a "distraction" from the committee investigating the attack on Americans in Benghazi. (Video: AP)