Historic vote: Removal of Kevin McCarthy from Speaker of the House of Representatives
For the first time in US history, a leader in the House of Representatives has been removed from his powerful position by a parliamentary vote.
In a historic precedent, the US House of Representatives dismissed its Republican leader, Kevin McCarthy. A majority of lawmakers voted on Tuesday in favor of a motion by far-right Matt Gaetz to remove McCarthy from the upper house of Congress. McCarthy lost one Internal struggle for power in the party In a dispute over budget policy, he was impeached as the first Speaker of the House of Representatives in the history of the United States.
216 representatives voted in favor of removing the 58-year-old politician from California – eight Republicans from the right wing of the party and 208 representatives from the Democrats, to which President Joe Biden belongs. 210 Republican representatives voted against the removal.
Gates, a supporter of former President Donald Trump, held a party on Monday evening A motion was made to remove McCarthy. The backdrop is the row over a budget freeze that was averted at the last minute at the weekend. McCarthy had agreed with Democrats in the House of Representatives on a compromise to fund the US federal authorities until November 17 in order to prevent the so-called shutdown.
Gates, who insists on massive spending cuts, sharply criticized McCarthy for this. McCarthy is also accused of concluding a “secret” agreement with President Joe Biden to obtain new aid for Ukraine.
“You can boo as much as you want.”
Before the plenary vote, Gaetz engaged in heated debates with other Republicans who supported McCarthy. “You can boo all you want,” he shouted at one point. The McCarthyites warned that impeaching the president would “paralyze” the House of Congress, turn the public against Republicans, and ultimately benefit Democrats.
McCarthy still has the support of the vast majority of Republican representatives. However, conservatives in the House only have such a narrow majority that five right-wing Republican hardliners would be enough to oust McCarthy if Democrats vote unanimously against the president.
McCarthy made clear on Tuesday that he would not make any deals with Democrats to remain in office. The Democratic leadership, in turn, made clear that it does not see it as its mission to prevent the Republican’s dismissal, even if that might lead to chaos in the House of Representatives.
McCarthy assumed leadership of the House of Representatives at the beginning of the year after Republicans won a narrow majority in the midterm congressional elections in November 2022. It was clear from the beginning that McCarthy would have difficulty facing the resistance of the far-right wing of his party. He needed 15 ballots in January to be elected Speaker of the House.
US President Biden is pressing for a later solution
After the dismissal of Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, US President Joe Biden called on Congress to expedite the election of his successor. “The urgent challenges facing our country will not wait,” Biden spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said Tuesday. The president therefore hopes that the House of Representatives will “quickly” elect a new president.
“The American people deserve political leaders who will put the issues that shape their lives front and center,” Jean-Pierre continued. “President Biden has proven that he always wants to work with both parties in Congress (…) for the American people.” The Democratic Party politician is already looking forward to working with the future leadership of the House of Representatives.
New elections are scheduled for next week at the earliest
After the historic vote out of US House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy, his successor will not be determined until next week at the earliest. House members were told Tuesday evening that no further vote was expected this week. This appears, among other things, from a circular email from the Democratic group to its representatives. The US Parliament is currently completely paralyzed by this drama. Until a successor to McCarthy is elected, all remaining legislative business is on hold.
Several Republican representatives – McCarthy opponents Matt Gaetz and Bob Good – said Tuesday evening after an internal caucus meeting that the acting Speaker of the House, Republican Patrick McHenry, announced that potential candidates to succeed McCarthy should be given a few days to announce their ambitions. And to mobilize voices within our ranks. According to Gaetz and Judd, Republicans will meet again every Tuesday for an internal meeting where potential successors can introduce themselves. Only then should a date be set for holding elections in plenary session.
McHenry is appointed only temporarily to official duties, but does not hold the office of president politically. It is unclear who could become the next leader of the House of Representatives. McCarthy announced that he would not run for office again.
SDA/AFP/OLI
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