McCarthy ousted as US speaker, throwing Washington into chaos
Oct 05, 2023
Washington [US], October 5: A handful of Republicans joined with Democrats on Tuesday to make Kevin McCarthy the first speaker of the House in history to be ousted by a vote of the chamber, throwing Washington into chaos.
The revolt against McCarthy was led by Representative Matt Gaetz, Florida, and a small group of conservative Republicans who have complained that the speaker worked across the aisle too often. The 216-210 vote made clear that the GOP's right wing will not tolerate leaders who compromise with US President Joe Biden and his party.
Eight Republicans and 208 Democrats voted to dump McCarthy. The result plunges the House even further into crisis, with no clear sign of who - if anyone - can muster enough votes to become the next speaker.
"We're in uncharted waters," Representative Jim Costa, California, told the Los Angeles Times shortly before the vote. Gaetz and his allies will likely demand significant concessions in exchange for supporting a new Republican speaker. Democrats could also attempt to extract concessions in exchange for supporting a consensus speaker, though such a deal is unprecedented in modern US history.
Gaetz, after months of threats, filed a motion to oust McCarthy late Monday night, taking advantage of chamber rules that allow any lawmaker to force a quick vote to boot the speaker. McCarthy lost a vote to table Gaetz's motion early Tuesday afternoon, 218-208.
Gaetz's fellow Republicans appeared to refuse to allow him to deliver his remarks from their side of the House floor, forcing him to speak from the Democratic side of the chamber.
Source: Qatar Tribune
