Historic House Vote Leaves Kevin McCarthy Ousted as Speaker
Former Speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy, delivers remarks to the media on May 16, 2023 (Image courtesy of the Office of the Former Speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy).
This is the first time a Speaker has been successfully expelled in American history.
Article by Georgia Simon, Assistant White House Editor
WASHINGTON - After a historic day on Capitol Hill, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has been ousted by his own party, after a short and unprecedented nine-month speakership. Hard-line Florida conservative, Matt Gaetz, first initiated a motion to strip McCarthy of the House gavel yesterday.
Eight conservatives followed by the entire Democratic Caucus voted in favor of expulsion. Due to the slim GOP majority, McCarthy was unsuccessfully saved with a 216-210 vote, leaving the state of the Republican party and House in utter chaos.
“I may have lost this vote today, but as I walk out of this chamber I feel fortunate to have served,” the Former Speaker said at a press conference following the vote.
Patrick McHenry of North Carolina was named speaker pro tempore. McHenry, a close ally of McCarthy, will serve until a new speaker is chosen.
Gaetz defended his decision to start a motion, explaining that the former speaker did not live up to his promosies and is “chaos.”
“Chaos is somebody who we cannot trust with their word,” Gaetz said, referring to McCarthy.
Voting alongside Gaetz were: Reps. Andy Biggs and Eli Crane of Arizona. Ken Buck of Colorado, Bob Good of Virginia, Matt Rosendale of Montana, Nancy Mace of South Carolina and Tim Burhcett of Tennessee.
Following the fear of a government shutdown over the past few days, Speaker McCarthy had to strike a deal with the Democrats in order for a funding bill to pass in congress. GOP hard-lines were not in favor of this bill, causing extreme tension throughout the caucus.
“The Speaker fought through 15 votes in January to become speaker, but was only willing to fight through one failed C.R. before surrendering to the Democrats on Saturday,” Rep. Good said.
McCarthy was unwilling to work with Democrats to remain in his position leaving House Minority Leader and Democrats to decide on their vote.
“It is now the responsibility of the GOP members to end the House Republican Civil War,” Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Leader (D-N.Y.), said following the announcement of the caucus decision to vote against Speaker McCarthy.
“We don’t trust him. Their members don’t trust him. And you need a certain degree of trust to be the speaker,” Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said.
Although McCarthy made it very clear he was not quitting, he later announced that he would not run for speakership again in the future, leaving the path to the gavel uncertain.
“I will not run for speaker again,” McCarthy said in a press conference this evening. “I’ll have the [Republican] conference pick somebody else.”
Although there are those in line for the speakership, the battle to 218 is nothing short of difficult.
While GOP Majority Leader Steve Scalise continues his battle with cancer, Majority Whip Tom Emmer seems short of hitting the threshold.
The House is currently in recess as they struggle to find their next leader. No legislation will be able to advance as well as other legislative business will remain at a halt until the next election for speaker is held.