US House ousts Kevin McCarthy as Speaker in historic vote

WASHINGTON – The US House of Representatives voted on Tuesday to oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy from his job, as

infighting among his fellow Republicans

plunged Congress into further chaos just days after it narrowly averted a government shutdown.

The 216-to-210 vote marked the first time in history that the House removed its leader, with eight Republicans voting with 208 Democrats to remove Mr McCarthy. He told reporters he would not make another run for Speaker.

“I fought for what I believe in,” he said. “I believe I can continue to fight, but maybe in a different manner.”

The House looked set to go leaderless for at least a week, as multiple Republicans said they planned to meet next Tuesday to discuss possible McCarthy successors, with a vote on a new Speaker planned for the next day.

The rebellion was led by Representative Matt Gaetz, a far-right Republican from Florida and McCarthy antagonist who accused the party leader of not doing enough to cut federal spending.

“Kevin McCarthy is a creature of the swamp. He has risen to power by collecting special interest money and redistributing that money in exchange for favours. We are breaking the fever now,” Mr Gaetz told reporters after the vote.

It was the latest moment of high drama in a year that has seen the Republican-controlled House bring Washington to the brink of default and

the edge of a partial government shutdown.

Mr McCarthy’s party controls the Chamber by a narrow 221-212 majority, meaning that it can afford to lose no more than five votes if Democrats unite in opposition.

Mr McCarthy’s ouster as Speaker essentially brings legislative activity in the House to a halt, with another government shutdown deadline looming on Nov 17 if Congress does not extend funding.

The White House said it hoped the House would move swiftly to choose a replacement Speaker, a position second in line to the presidency after the Vice-President.

Uncharted waters

The vote left Congress in uncharted waters as it scrambles to update farm-subsidy and nutrition programmes, pass government-funding Bills and consider further aid to Ukraine.

It was unclear who would succeed Mr McCarthy.

Other Republican leaders such as Mr Steve Scalise and Mr Tom Emmer could possibly be candidates, though neither has publicly expressed interest. Another member of the leadership team, Representative Patrick McHenry, was named to the post on a temporary basis.

The last two Republican Speakers – Mr Paul Ryan and Mr John Boehner – retired from Congress after clashes with the party’s right wing.

In debate on the House floor, Mr Gaetz and a handful of allies criticised Mr McCarthy for relying on Democratic votes to pass temporary funding that headed off a partial government shutdown.

“We need a Speaker who will fight for something – anything – other than staying on as Speaker,” said Republican Representative Bob Good.

Representative Nancy Mace, a Republican, told reporters she voted to remove Mr McCarthy as Speaker because he broke promises to her on improving access to birth control and supporting a Bill she wrote on rape kits.

“I’ve made deals with Kevin McCarthy, with the Speaker, that he has not kept to help women in this country,” Ms Mace told reporters. “We have done nothing for them.

“When you shake my hand and you make a promise and you don’t keep it, there are consequences.”

Mr McCarthy’s supporters, including some of the Chamber’s most vocal conservatives, said he had successfully limited spending and advanced other conservative priorities even though Democrats control the White House and the Senate. They warned their gains would be at risk if they removed their leader.

Republican Representative Tom Cole said: “Think long and hard before you plunge us into chaos, because that’s where we’re headed.”

No Democratic support

Democrats said they would not help Republicans resolve their own problems. They broadly view Mr McCarthy as untrustworthy after he broke an agreement on spending with Democratic President Joe Biden, and are angered by his decision to green-light an impeachment investigation of the President.

“Let them wallow in their pigsty of incompetence,” Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal told reporters before the vote.

Mr Gaetz was one of more than a dozen Republicans who repeatedly voted against Mr McCarthy’s bid for Speaker in January. Mr McCarthy ultimately secured the gavel after 15 rounds of voting. To win the job, Mr McCarthy agreed to rules that made it easier to challenge his leadership.

Mr McCarthy’s supporters have said Mr Gaetz was motivated by a hunger for publicity, a chance to win higher office, or resentment over an ongoing ethics probe into possible sexual misconduct and illicit drug use.

Republican Representative Garret Graves noted that Mr Gaetz has been fund-raising, using the effort to oust Mr McCarthy. “It’s disgusting,” he said.

Mr Gaetz, who has denied wrongdoing, said he is not motivated by a dislike of Mr McCarthy. “This isn’t a critique of the individual – it’s a critique of the job. The job hasn’t been done,” he said. REUTERS