Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California, a Republican, was voted out of his position as Speaker of the House on Tuesday, October 3, 2023. This unprecedented move was led by a group of hard-right conservatives, causing chaos within the Republican leadership and the House itself. McCarthy announced that he would not run for speaker again, leaving the position open. The next steps are uncertain as there is no clear successor to lead the House Republican majority. McCarthy’s ouster was a consequence of him working with Democrats to keep the government open, which angered the conservative faction within his party. The vote to remove McCarthy as speaker was 216-210, with 11 Republicans refusing to table the motion. The House then recessed to discuss the path forward. McCarthy’s ouster was set in motion at the start of the year when he made a series of deals with hard-right conservatives, including a rules change that allowed any lawmaker to file a motion to vacate the speaker’s position. The debate that followed the vote was heated, with Republicans publicly arguing among themselves for over an hour. McCarthy’s opponents criticized him for his truthfulness and his ability to keep promises. McCarthy insisted he would not make a deal with Democrats to remain in power, but they also did not offer their support. It is now up to the GOP members to resolve the House Republican Civil War. The White House expressed hope that the House will quickly elect a new speaker so that they can work together. McCarthy invoked a historic incident involving Republican Speaker Joseph Cannon, who survived a vote to remove him from his position. McCarthy’s allies and opponents met privately before the vote, with Democrats expressing their lack of trust in McCarthy. The removal of the speaker has thrown House Republicans into chaos, as there is no clear successor. McCarthy himself needed multiple rounds of voting to secure the speakership in January. Former President Trump, a Republican, criticized the infighting among Republicans. The situation has left Republicans unsure of what to do next, with some calling for unity and others suggesting working across the aisle. McCarthy made it clear that he will not try to win back the speakership.
Source link
