President Biden insists House quickly elect a Speaker after McCarthy ousted by GOP

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, joined by NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby, holds a press briefing Tuesday, October 3, 2023, in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House (Official White House Photo by Oliver Contreras)

Legislative business is at a standstill until the House re-elects the next Speaker.

Article by Skylar Musick, Senior White House Producer

WASHINGTON - President Biden on Tuesday urged the House to swiftly reelect a Speaker after Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was removed by his own party.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre spoke on behalf of Biden after the House vote.

“President Biden has demonstrated that he is always eager to work with both parties in Congress in good faith on behalf of the American people,” Jean-Pierre said. “Because the urgent challenges facing our nation will not wait, he hopes the House will quickly elect a Speaker.”

Jean-Pierre acknowledged the present “chaos” of the House Republicans but focused on what’s next for the president and the future Speaker.

“Once the House has met their responsibility to elect a Speaker, he looks forward to working together with them and with the Senate to address the American peoples’ priorities,” Jean-Pierre said.

The Hill noted that the statement did not mention McCarthy or if he should be reelected or endorse a new Speaker. The White House said it will not get involved in the uproar nor comment on leadership.

After only a nine-month term, McCarthy was ousted by the Republican Party on Tuesday. In fear of a government shutdown, McCarthy had to make a deal with Democrats for a Ukraine funding bill to pass in Congress. Many GOP members were not in favor of the bill.

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) initiated a motion to remove McCarthy from his position. Eventually, eight conservatives and the entire Democratic Party voted against McCarthy, making him the first Speaker successfully expelled in U.S. history.

Patrick McHenry of North Carolina was named speaker pro tempore. He will serve until a new Speaker is chosen.

Rep. Gaetz also filed a motion to oust McCarthy because of an alleged secret side deal on Ukraine funding made between McCarthy and President Biden.

McCarthy tried to get ahead of a shutdown by dropping $6 billion from the bill. Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) put a hold on the bill a few hours before a shutdown would take effect if the resolution were not passed. However, he dropped his hold after Senate leadership released a statement: "In the coming weeks, we expect the Senate will work to ensure the U.S. government continues to provide critical and sustained security and economic support for Ukraine."

Biden and McCarthy were soon bombarded with questions about whether they made a secret deal.

The president furthered the idea on Sunday, when CBS News asked him, "Are you going to be able to trust Speaker McCarthy when the next deal comes around?"

"We just made one about Ukraine," Biden said. "So, we'll find out."

McCarthy was also asked about a possible secret deal Monday at the Capitol.

"There is no side deal going on,” McCarthy said.

On Monday, Press Secretary Jean-Pierre avoided questions from reporters wondering if there is a deal to pass Ukraine funding. She noted that McCarthy has said he supports providing Ukraine with necessary weapons.

"We expect him to keep his word on that," Jean-Pierre said.

However, aid for Ukraine has divided House Republicans. A majority of GOP members voted against a supplemental Ukraine security bill last week.

The House will remain in recess until they find their next Speaker, and the Republican Party waits for answers.