The US House of Representatives on October 4 made history by voting to oust Kevin McCarthy from the position of speaker, marking the first instance of a speaker of the House being removed from office in American history.
In a historic 216 to210 vote, the House took the unprecedented step of removing its leader. Eight Republicans joined 208 Democrats in voting to remove McCarthy. Following this decision, McCarthy informed reporters that he would not pursue another run for the position of speaker.
"I fought for what I believe in," McCarthy said. "I believe I can continue to fight, but maybe in a different manner."
Republican leaders said they planned to meet on October 10 to discuss McCarthy's successor, with a vote on a new speaker planned for October 11.
After McCarthy relied on Democratic votes to pass a bill to avoid a partial government shutdown on Saturday, Representative Matt Gaetz, a far-right Republican from Florida, led Tuesday's rebellion against him.
"Kevin McCarthy is a creature of the swamp. He has risen to power by collecting special interest money and redistributing that money in exchange for favors. We are breaking the fever now," Gaetz told reporters after the vote.
In a year that has seen Washington teeter on the brink of a catastrophic default on $31.4 trillion in public debt and a partial government shutdown, it was the latest high drama.
A narrow Republican majority of 221-212 controls the chamber, so if Democrats unite to oppose them, Democrats can lose a maximum of five seats.
As a result of McCarthy's ouster as speaker, legislative activity in the House has halted, and if Congress does not extend funding by November 17, a government shutdown will once again occur.
Deputy vice president is second in line to the presidency after the president, so the White House hopes the House will choose a replacement speaker quickly.
Congressional members are left scrambling to pass government funding bills, update farm subsidies, and consider further aid to Ukraine in the wake of the vote.
McCarthy's successor was unclear.
In recent weeks, McCarthy had angered Democrats with his impeachment inquiry against Biden and by rushing to pass a stopgap spending bill that he needed their votes to pass to avert a government shutdown.
Though Democrats could have saved McCarthy, they decided not to help Republicans resolve their own problems after considering it.
House of Representatives ousted former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) from the position of Speaker in a vote at the Capitol in Washington, U.S. October 3, 2023.
Also Read | Who could succeed Republican Kevin McCarthy as speaker of the US House?
In addition to Steve Scalise and Tom Emmer, other Republican leaders could also run, although neither has publicly expressed interest. The post was temporarily filled by Representative Patrick McHenry.
Paul Ryan and John Boehner, the last two Republican speakers, retired from Congress after clashes with their right-wing supporters.
Gaetz and other allies criticized McCarthy in debate on the House floor for depending on Democratic votes to pass temporary funding.
"We need a speaker who will fight for something - anything - other than staying on as speaker," said Republican Representative Bob Good.
Representative Nancy Mace told reporters she voted to remove McCarthy as speaker because he broke promises to her on improving access to birth control and supporting a bill she wrote on rape kits.
"I've made deals with Kevin McCarthy, with the speaker, that he has not kept to help women in this country," Mace said. "We have done nothing for them."
Even though Democrats control the White House and the Senate, McCarthy's supporters say he succeeded in limiting spending and advancing other conservative priorities.
"Think long and hard before you plunge us into chaos, because that's where we're headed," said Republican Representative Tom Cole.
No Democratic Support
McCarthy broke an agreement with Biden on spending in May, leading Democrats to view him as untrustworthy.
"Let them wallow in their pigsty of incompetence," Representative Pramila Jayapal told reporters before the vote.
McCarthy's bid for speaker was repeatedly rejected by more than a dozen Republicans in January. A total of 15 rounds of voting were held over the course of four days before McCarthy won the gavel. As part of his deal for the job, McCarthy agreed to rules that would make challenging his leadership easier.
It has been suggested that Gaetz was motivated by a hunger for publicity, a chance to win higher office or resentment over a current ethics investigation into possible sexual misconduct and drug use.
McCarthy's dislike of Gaetz did not motivate Gaetz to act wrongfully.
"This isn't a critique of the individual - it's a critique of the job. The job hasn't been done," he said.
(With Inputs from Reuters)
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