For the first time in the history of the US the house of representatives yesterday removed its speaker, Kevin McCarthy.
He lost the seat when the majority of the house voted 216 – 210 to sack the speaker who was elected in January.
His removal underscores the growing turmoil within the Republican Party,
Before his removal, Mr McCarthy on Monday in a post on social his X platform wrote “Bring it on”, responding to plans of the lawmakers to remove him.
In another post, he claimed he kept the government open so the families of troops and border agents could get paid.
“If a handful of Republicans side with Democrats to remove me for that – it’s a fight worth having,” he posted.
Eight Republicans voted with 208 Democrats to remove McCarthy.
McCarthy told reporters he would not make another run for speaker.
“I fought for what I believe in,” McCarthy 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 on October 10 to discuss possible McCarthy successors, with a vote on a new speaker planned for October 11.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said President Joe Biden hopes the House would quickly elect a new Speaker, noting the “urgent challenges facing our nation will not wait”.
Without a speaker, the house is unable to push through bills, including vital spending bills.
McCarthy has said he will not run again.
“I may have lost a vote today, but I fought for what I believe in – and I believe in America. It has been an honour to serve,” he added.
Tuesday’s rebellion was led by Representative Matt Gaetz, a far-right Republican from Florida and McCarthy antagonist who finally turned on the speaker after he on Saturday relied on Democratic votes to help pass a bill to avoid a partial government shutdown.
“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 favors. We are breaking the fever now,” Gaetz told reporters after the vote.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a democrat representing Bronx/Queens, in a post on X said McCarthy is not a victim.
“One would think after years of striving, McCarthy would have studied lessons left by predecessors Boehner and Ryan, who also fell at their destructive wing,” she said, adding that it was his choice to empower them further.
It was the latest moment of high drama in a year when the Republican-controlled House brought Washington to the brink of a catastrophic default on U.S. debt of $31.4 trillion and a partial government shutdown.
Republicans control the chamber by a narrow 221-212 majority, meaning they can afford to lose no more than five votes if Democrats unite in opposition.
McCarthy’s ouster as speaker brings legislative activity in the House to a halt, with another government shutdown deadline looming on November 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.
With Reuters report
