In an unprecedented turn of events, the US House of Representatives has voted to depose Kevin McCarthy from the esteemed speaker’s chair, marking the first instance in American history where a House speaker was ousted from the position.
McCarthy’s nine-month tenure in the role took an unexpected twist last weekend when he joined forces with Democrats to secure government funding and avert a shutdown. This collaboration triggered a motion, spearheaded by the staunchly conservative Congressman Matt Gaetz of Florida, aimed at removing McCarthy from his leadership role.
Despite strenuous efforts by McCarthy and his supporters to quash Gaetz’s proposal, their motion faltered in a vote of 208 to 218. Subsequently, a decisive vote occurred on Tuesday afternoon, resulting in eight hard-right Republicans joining forces with 208 Democrats, culminating in McCarthy’s removal by a margin of 216 to 210.
Key Takeaways from This Extraordinary Occurrence:
1. Emergence of a Temporary Speaker: Patrick McHenry
As a consequence of McCarthy’s removal, the House has ventured into uncharted waters. According to House regulations, McCarthy was obliged to compile a list of potential successors in case of his vacancy. According to Rule I, clause 8, the individual he designated “shall act as Speaker pro tempore until the election of a Speaker or a Speaker pro tempore.” This designation fell upon North Carolina Republican Patrick McHenry, the current chair of the financial services committee, who has assumed the role of House speaker pro tempore, albeit temporarily. Given McCarthy’s tumultuous 15-round election in January, it appears highly probable that another protracted electoral process awaits.
2. Prospects for Steve Scalise
Representative Steve Scalise of Louisiana, presently the second-ranking House Republican, has emerged as a potential successor to McCarthy. Gaetz notably singled out Scalise, a longtime rival of McCarthy, during his press interactions on Monday. Despite Scalise’s ongoing battle with blood cancer, Gaetz emphatically declared, “I am not going to pass over Steve Scalise just because he has blood cancer.” Scalise, who disclosed his diagnosis in August, expressed optimism about its treatability, noting the early detection.
3. Gaetz’s Persistent Impact
Matt Gaetz, a vocal critic of McCarthy long before the latter assumed the speakership, did not mince words after McCarthy’s ousting, referring to him as “a creature of the swamp.” Gaetz asserted that McCarthy ascended to power through the accumulation of special interest funding, thereby engendering a culture of political favors. Gaetz reaffirmed his strong endorsement of Scalise as a potential speaker, foreseeing him as an exceptional choice for the position. Given Gaetz’s utilization of the vote to remove McCarthy as a fundraising tool, it is anticipated that he will continue to be a disruptive force in the House in the weeks ahead.
4. GOP’s Escalating Turmoil
The conspicuous alignment of eight Republicans in favor of McCarthy’s removal underscores the deepening divisions within the GOP. Notable among these eight are Representatives Andy Biggs of Arizona, Ken Buck of Colorado, Tim Burchett of Tennessee, Eli Crane of Arizona, Bob Good of Virginia, Nancy Mace of South Carolina, Matt Rosendale of Montana, and Matt Gaetz himself. The former Republican vice-president, Mike Pence, lamented the chaos unfolding within the party, emphasizing that such turbulence is detrimental to American families in times of hardship. House Rules committee chairman Tom Cole expressed uncertainty about the future, citing a lack of clarity and alternative plans, characterizing the situation as a vote for chaos.
5. Uncertainty Grips Both Sides of the Aisle
The repercussions of McCarthy’s removal have left both Democrats and Republicans grappling with uncertainty. Some observers have even characterized the situation as “apocalyptic.” Congressman Tom McClintock of California, while defending McCarthy’s position, warned that paralysis might engulf the House, with successive fruitless ballots rendering it unable to conduct other business. McClintock predicted that Democrats might form an alliance with a faction of Republicans to break the impasse, leading to a significant leftward shift in the House and potentially eroding the Republican majority established in the 2022 elections. These developments come at a pivotal moment in history, with far-reaching consequences that remain to be seen.
