In a historic turn of events, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted from his position in a vote on Tuesday, October 5, 2023.[0] This marks the first time in 113 years that the House voted to remove the speaker, and the first time in U.S. history that a speaker has lost the vote.[1] McCarthy's removal came after Republican Representative Matt Gaetz introduced a motion to vacate the speakership on Monday, October 4.[2] Gaetz cited frustration with McCarthy's decision to pass a continuing resolution and keep the government open as his reason for initiating the motion.[3]
The motion to vacate was supported by seven other Republicans who broke ranks and voted with the Democrats, resulting in McCarthy's removal.[3] This unexpected turn of events has left the House scrambling to find a new speaker, with no clear front-runner emerging.[3] Gaetz, who started the motion, has admitted to not having a plan for McCarthy's replacement.[3]
The vote to remove McCarthy as speaker was a close one, with a 216-210 outcome. Eight Republicans joined forces with all Democrats to oppose McCarthy. Following the vote, McCarthy appointed Patrick McHenry as speaker pro tempore until a new speaker can be elected.[4] The House is now faced with the challenge of selecting a new leader in a time when government funding is set to expire in just over a month.
Several potential candidates have emerged for the role of speaker. Representatives Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan have announced their candidacies, with Scalise already serving as House Majority Leader and Jordan having the endorsement of former President Donald Trump.[5] However, it remains to be seen who will ultimately step up and secure the necessary 218 votes to become the new speaker.
The situation in the House reflects a larger issue within the Republican Party. With a slim numerical majority, the party lacks a governing majority and is susceptible to the influence of a small fringe group. These extremists can stall legislation, force the rest of the party to accept unfavorable amendments, and even depose a speaker who goes against their wishes.[6] This power struggle within the party has hindered its ability to effectively govern and pass legislation.
While the Democrats could have potentially saved McCarthy from being removed as speaker, they chose not to intervene.[7] Some observers argue that this outcome may be beneficial for the House as an institution, as it highlights the need for reform and a shift towards bipartisan governance.[8] House Republicans are now faced with the task of choosing a new speaker and addressing the challenges that lie ahead, including passing individual appropriations bills and working with the Senate to advance their policies.
In the midst of this political upheaval, there are ongoing investigations into Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, and his overseas business dealings.[9] McCarthy had opened a formal impeachment inquiry against the president last month, citing concerns over Hunter Biden's activities.[10] These investigations have added another layer of complexity to the political landscape and have further divided the Republican Party.
As the House navigates this uncertain period, it is crucial for Republicans to come together and find a leader who can unite the party and effectively govern. The selection of a new speaker will shape the direction of the House and have implications for the future of the Republican Party. It remains to be seen how long it will take to find a replacement and how this leadership change will impact the legislative agenda moving forward.
0. “Interim House Speaker ‘evicts' two senior Democrats from Capitol” BBC.com, 4 Oct. 2023, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-67005444
1. “Republican Montana congressman on the Speaker of the House vacancy” NPR, 4 Oct. 2023, https://www.npr.org/2023/10/04/1203732983/republican-montana-congressman-on-the-speaker-of-the-house-vacancy
2. “Matt Gaetz uses McCarthy ouster, boos from colleagues to launch campaign fundraising push” Fox News, 4 Oct. 2023, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/matt-gaetz-mccarthy-ouster-boos-colleagues-launch-campaign-fundraising-push
3. “Republicans Are So Mad They're Airing All of Matt Gaetz's Dirty Laundry” The New Republic, 3 Oct. 2023, https://newrepublic.com/post/175996/republicans-gross-stories-matt-gaetz
4. “Kevin McCarthy denies reports that he's resigning from Congress” CBS News, 6 Oct. 2023, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kevin-mccarthy-denies-resigning-congress
5. “House speaker battle: Why Trump's endorsement complicates the process” The Boston Globe, 6 Oct. 2023, https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/10/06/nation/trumps-endorsement-house-speaker-contest-sounds-like-big-deal-really-its-indirect-sets-stage-goverment-shutdown/
6. “With Kevin McCarthy out, it is time for a bipartisan Speaker | Brookings” Brookings Institution, 4 Oct. 2023, https://www.brookings.edu/articles/with-kevin-mccarthy-out-it-is-time-for-a-bipartisan-speaker/
7. “Trump World Warns House GOP Against Emmer as Majority Leader” TIME, 4 Oct. 2023, https://time.com/6320599/trump-house-republicans-tom-emmer/
8. “Jeffries calls effort to kick Pelosi, Hoyer out of hideaway offices ‘petty, partisan and petulant’” The Hill, 6 Oct. 2023, https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4242262-jeffries-pelosi-hoyer-hideaway-offices-petty-partisan-gop/
9. “What Congress accomplished with McCarthy as speaker of the House” CBS News, 5 Oct. 2023, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-congress-accomplished-mccarthy-as-speaker-of-the-house/
10. “‘Dysfunctional’: Speaker debacle plunges US politics into uncertainty” Al Jazeera English, 5 Oct. 2023, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/5/dysfunctional-speaker-debacle-plunges-us-politics-into-uncertainty
