Tom Cole of Oklahoma said as debate got underway, urging his colleagues not to plunge the House Republican majority “into chaos.”īut Gaetz shot back during the debate, “Chaos is Speaker McCarthy.” Gaetz is a leader of the hard-right Republicans who fought in January against McCarthy in his prolonged battle to gain the gavel. “It is now the responsibility of the GOP members to end the House Republican Civil War,” Jeffries said, announcing the Democratic leadership would vote for the motion to oust the speaker.Īs the House fell silent, Gaetz, a top ally of Donald Trump, rose to offer his motion. McCarthy, of California, insisted he would not cut a deal with Democrats to remain in power - not that he could have relied on their help even if he had asked.ĭemocratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a letter to colleagues that he wants to work with Republicans, but he was unwilling to provide the votes needed to save McCarthy. The House then opened a floor debate, unseen in modern times, ahead of the next round of voting. WATCH: House votes on whether to oust McCarthy as speakerĪn earlier vote was 218-208 against tabling the motion, with 11 Republicans allowing it to advance. It was a stunning moment for the battle-tested McCarthy, a punishment fueled by growing grievances but sparked by his weekend decision to work with Democrats to keep the federal government open rather than risk a shutdown. The House then briskly recessed so lawmakers could meet and discuss the path forward. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., took the gavel and, according to House rules, was named speaker pro tempore, to serve in the office until a new speaker is chosen. Stillness fell as the presiding officer gaveled the vote closed, 216-210, saying the office of the speaker “is hereby declared vacant.”

Next steps are uncertain, but there is no obvious successor to lead the House Republican majority. Matt Gaetz of Florida, forced the vote on the “motion to vacate,” drawing together more than a handful of conservative Republican critics of the speaker and many Democrats who say he is unworthy of leadership. history that was forced by a contingent of hard-right conservatives and threw the House and its Republican leadership into chaos.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Speaker Kevin McCarthy was voted out of the job Tuesday in an extraordinary showdown, a first in U.S.

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