Kevin McCarthy was ousted as speaker by the US House of Representatives
For the first time in history, the US House of Representatives removed its leader through a vote of no confidence, this happened to Kevin McCarthy being ousted as speaker by the US House of Representatives on Tuesday (3/10/2023). Kevin McCarthy is a Republican and serves as chairman of the board.
 |
| Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., speaks to reporters hours after he was ousted as speaker of the House on Tuesday (Photo: J. Scott Applewhite/AP) |
McCarthy, of California, was ousted when a small group of eight hardline conservative Republicans joined all Democrats to approve a "motion to vacate" filed by Republican Representative Matt Gaetz, of Florida, who is a longtime foe of McCarthy.
Kevin McCarthy ousted as speaker in historic vote
Shortly after the vote ended, Rep. Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, a close McCarthy ally and chairman of the Financial Services Committee, took on the role of interim speaker and led the chamber into recess.
The Republican Conference of the House plans to meet Tuesday night to plan the next steps.
McCarthy's ouster effectively came Saturday when he won a surprise legislative victory, leading Democrats to join Republicans in approving a short-term funding bill that avoids a government shutdown.
Also, read: Senator Dianne Feinstein Dies.
Although McCarthy pleased the White House with the move, it fueled an already simmering resentment against his leadership among right-wing Republicans.
Some of McCarthy's supporters have said they plan to propose his name in the next round of chairman elections.
However, other members of the Republican leadership have also been proposed as potential replacements, including Majority Leader Tom Emmer of Minnesota and Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana. Both are popular with Republicans.
The last time a motion to overturn a vote occurred in the House was in 1910 when Republican Party Chairman Joseph Cannon survived the motion.
McCarthy's leadership of the chairmanship has weakened since he was elected in January, due to a small group led by Gaetz who were unhappy with the Californian.
A source told NBC News on Tuesday that some of McCarthy's allies are "begging" some House Democrats to vote with them to keep his post as speaker.
"We need Kevin McCarthy to stay our speaker," Emmer said during the debate. "We will remain focused on our mission to deliver a reasonable victory for the American people," he said.
Gaetz said McCarthy tended to hide the truth.
"No one is selfish if they want the speaker of the House to tell the truth," he said.
Gaetz said McCarthy no longer represents the interests of the Republican caucus after the party's chairman worked with Democrats to pass a temporary funding bill to avoid a government shutdown over the weekend.