In a historic and unprecedented turn of events, the Republican-led House executed a momentous decision on Tuesday, ousting Rep. McCarthy from the House Speaker position.
The House of Representatives voted to depose Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) from his position as Speaker. This bold move, unparalleled in congressional history, signified the first instance where a Speaker was unseated in this manner. According to The Washington Post, the driving force behind McCarthy’s removal came from hard-right members within his party, who were fervently seeking a change in leadership. Notably, Democrats abstained from casting votes that could have potentially spared McCarthy from this dramatic upheaval.
BREAKING: Democrats 🤝 hard-line Republicans
Voting to oust Kevin McCarthy as House speaker pic.twitter.com/mU2HWlzdGQ
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) October 3, 2023
After McCarthy’s removal, Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) promptly assumed the role of speaker pro tempore. He briefly presided over the chamber, subsequently announcing a recess. This intermission allowed both Republicans and Democrats the opportunity to convene privately and address the sudden void in leadership.
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Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) was pivotal in this historic decision. He introduced the resolution for McCarthy’s removal following weeks of persistent threats due to McCarthy’s endorsement of a stopgap measure to fund the government with Democratic support.
The final vote count culminated at 216-210, effectively solidifying McCarthy’s ousting from the position of Speaker. This unforeseen turn of events has now placed the House in uncharted territory as it embarks on a mission to identify a new leader, setting ripples through the realm of U.S. politics.
