McCarthy Ousting Shakes Capitol Hill.
In a historic and consequential turn of events, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 216-210 to unseat GOP Representative Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House. This momentous decision, which unfolded on a fateful Tuesday, etched its name in the annals of American political history, marking the very first time where the sitting speaker was voted out.
Rep. Tom Cole kicked off the debate, claiming he was part of the vast majority of Republicans who support him and that the MAGA wing party was trying to “plunge us into chaos.” They’re so out of touch with the Republican voters. Gaetz responded, saying, “Chaos is Speaker McCarthy. Chaos is somebody who we cannot trust with their word.”
The voting process unveiled a stark and pronounced partisan divide, as eight GOP lawmakers found common cause with 208 Democrats, collectively advocating for his removal from the speakership. In stark contrast, 210 staunch Republicans adamantly opposed his ousting. Notably, on the opposing side of the aisle, not a single Democrat cast a vote against the motion to remove him from his influential role.
Congressman Matt Gaetz officially filed the Motion to Vacate the Chair against the speaker on Monday.
The vast majority of House Republicans voted against removing McCarthy from the House speaker post on Tuesday. Reps. Andy Biggs (Ariz.), Ken Buck (Colo.), Tim Burchett (Tenn.), Eli Crane (Ariz.), Matt Gaetz (Fla.), Bob Good (Va.), Nancy Mace (S.C.) and Matt Rosendale (Mont.) voted with Democrats.
“The fight is not over. Now we must elect a Speaker,” Gaetz declared on X. He spearheaded the motion to dethrone McCarthy, citing the Speaker’s collaboration with Democrats to secure votes to stop the government shutdown while ensuring Ukraine still received $300 Million.
Summarizing the prevailing sentiment of the moment, GOP Representative Andy Biggs of Arizona said, “I wholeheartedly support the Motion to Vacate. Speaker McCarthy has regrettably failed to exhibit the leadership necessary to bring about meaningful change. He has diverged from many of the promises he made in January and, regrettably, can no longer be entrusted with the helm of our chamber.”
Are things moving the right direction? McCarthy should have never been voted in as Speaker of the House. He made backdoor deals with Democrats. He gave them whatever they wanted.
