Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy answers reporters' questions after his ouster Photo: Reuters
Kevin McCarthy has been removed as speaker House of Representatives for the first time in history.
The Republican representative met with GOP colleagues Tuesday night and announced that he will not seek re-election, setting the stage for a Republican fight over who takes over the role of party leader in the lower House.
At a news conference, Mr. McCarthy said the vote was “personal” and that it was forced by Republican hardliners who “were not conservatives.” .
How did we get here?
Republicans have been divided for months, with a group of hardliners in the House Freedom Caucus trying to block measures supported by the major party.
The fight has reached its bitter end. last month as some Republicans tried to block a short-term spending deal to avoid an Oct. 1 government shutdown.
The GOP has a four-vote majority in the House, making it difficult to pass legislation without the support of all Republicans or some votes provided by Democrats.
Mr. McCarthy struck a deal last week. with Democrats to pass a continuing resolution to avoid a shutdown, but the process has angered Republicans.
A group of congressmen led by Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida felt he was allowing the White House to «take lunch money.»
The spat led to Gaetz, backed by Democrats and seven other Republicans, putting forward a proposal to «vacate» the speakership by removing Mr. McCarthy and triggering an election to replace him.
On Tuesday, the motion passed and Mr. McCarthy stepped down resign.
The White House said Joe Biden «hopes the House of Representatives will quickly select a speaker» in the coming days.
How will the new speaker be selected?
This is the first time in U.S. history that a sitting speaker has been voted out of office, so the House of Representatives is now in uncharted waters.
Patrick McHenry, a Republican from North Carolina, will be appointed speaker pro tempore until a new speaker is elected. .
Patrick McHenry has been appointed Speaker pro tempore. Photo: AP
The Speaker is elected from among all members of the House of Representatives in a bipartisan election between candidates from both major parties.
Democrats already have House leader Hakeem Jeffries, who is currently the minority leader and is expected to be nominated to replace Mr. McCarthy.
But Republicans still have the majority, so it is expected that it will be their candidate who will take the reins.
On Tuesday next week, the Republican Party will hold a “candidate forum” to determine its candidate and hold elections for a new speaker. will take place on Wednesday.
Who is running?
Mr. McHenry's position as speaker pro tempore could give him an advantage among congressional Republicans.
The North Carolina representative voted with Democrats to support the latest stopgap funding resolution and has been a vocal supporter of Mr. McCarthy in recent weeks But he also supported Donald Trump, a fact that will be popular among right-wing Republicans.
Also in the race is Steve Scalise, the House majority leader and the next most senior Republican after Mr. McCarthy. .
Mr. Scalise has been involved in House Republican leadership since 2014, when he assumed the position of Majority Whip.
Steve Scalise is running for Speaker of the House of Representatives. Photo: Bloomberg
The Louisiana representative is considered to be on the right of the party and may be able to forge a fragile coalition between competing factions of Republicans.
Jim Jordan, ranking chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, has been floated as a possible replacement.
Ahead of McCarthy's testimony, Mr. Jordan said he was «not interested» in the job, but his position could change after the seat is removed speaker.
Although Mr. McCarthy's challenge came from the House Freedom Caucus, it is unlikely that Mr. Gaetz or any of the other seven representatives who voted against him on Tuesday will win support from the broad base of House Republicans.
But Andy Biggs, one of those congressmen, called on his fellow Republicans on Monday to oust McCarthy and may now be interested in replacing him. He will be backed by rabble-rousers this week.
Tom Emmer, the current majority whip, also has the support of Guts and some GOP hardliners, and also has experience in party management.
Could Donald Trump become speaker?
Under House rules, the Speaker does not have to be an elected representative.
This rule means that technically Donald Trump could fill the position if he ran for office and secured the support of the Republican Party.
On Tuesday night, Troy E. Nehls, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, said he would nominate the former president at a candidate forum next week.
He said, “Kevin McCarthy will NOT run for office again.” speaker. I nominate Donald Trump for Speaker of the House of Representatives.»
Mr. Gaetz voted for Mr. Trump to become Speaker during several rounds of the last speaker vote in January and noted to reporters that the Speaker and does. You don't have to be a member of Congress.
The chances of Mr. Trump taking on this role are extremely unlikely: not only has he stated that he is not interested in the position, but he will also have difficulty commanding support Republican Party congressmen.
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