McCarthy announces he won’t seek re-election as Speaker.
The House is about to witness a major shakeup as Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was ousted on Oct. 3, marking the first time in history that the chamber has removed its speaker.
In a dramatic turn of events, McCarthy announced to his conference that he would not seek re-election as speaker, according to Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.), the chairman of the Republican Study Committee.
McCarthy, who served as the 55th speaker, made it clear to the caucus that he would not surrender to the Democrats, as reported by Mr. Hern.
The House voted 210-216 to strip McCarthy of the gavel, with eight Republicans joining all Democrats in the historic decision.
Lawmakers React to McCarthy’s Ouster
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), one of the Republicans who voted against McCarthy, revealed that McCarthy had mocked him for seeking guidance through prayer on the decision to remove him as speaker.
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) disclosed that he has been in talks with Republicans about appointing House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) as McCarthy’s permanent successor.
Rep. Annie Custer (D-N.H.), chairwoman of the moderate New Democrat Caucus, criticized McCarthy for lowering the threshold to file a motion to vacate the chair to just one member. She argued that this decision has allowed the most extreme elements of the Republican House to exert control, contrary to the will of the people.
“By making that decision every day since, the American people have suffered because he’s veered to the most extreme of his party, of the Republican House,” she said.
“And they’ve essentially been in control and if it doesn’t reflect the will of the people, you know, so, I mean, this is what’s going on in their caucus right now,” continued Ms. Custer. “You know, that’s why we keep saying it’s an internal feud, a civil war, if you will, within their party.”
Supporters of McCarthy expressed disappointment in the outcome.
Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.) expressed hope that McCarthy would continue to fight, stating that the majority of the conference supports the path they have set forward, including measures to curb spending.
“This is in a democracy and it’s unfortunately dysfunctional,” said Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. “And that’s not good for the country. We don’t have a speaker.”
Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), chairman of the House Rules Committee, argued that those who voted to oust McCarthy have no plan, but he reassured that the House GOP is not self-destructing.
This marks the first time a speaker has been removed through a motion to vacate. The last time such a vote occurred was in 1910, but it was unsuccessful. In 2015, Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) resigned before facing a motion to vacate due to dissatisfaction from Freedom Caucus members.
McCarthy has stated that he will remain in Congress even if he is ousted as speaker.
Rep. Patrick McCarthy (R-N.C.) has been named as the replacement speaker pro tempore.
Possible candidates to permanently succeed McCarthy include House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), and House GOP Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.). All of them have expressed support for McCarthy, although Scalise’s battle with cancer may affect his availability.
Who are the potential candidates for the role of speaker and what opposition might they face?
, McCarthy has shown that he is more interested in his own power than in serving the American people,” Custer stated. “It is time for new leadership that will prioritize the needs and voices of the American people.”
The Road Ahead
With McCarthy’s ouster, the House faces a period of uncertainty and change. The process for selecting a new speaker is likely to be a contentious one, as members of both parties jockey for power and influence.
Rep. Jeffries has emerged as a frontrunner for the position, with his strong support among Democrats and his willingness to work across party lines. However, he will face opposition from within his own party, as well as from Republicans who view him as too moderate.
Other potential candidates include Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), the former speaker who served as McCarthy’s predecessor, and Rep. Kevin Hern, the chairman of the Republican Study Committee who has gained significant support among conservative members.
Whoever fills the role of speaker will face numerous challenges, including navigating the increasingly polarized political landscape and addressing the pressing issues facing the country, such as the economy, healthcare, and the environment.
As the House moves forward, it is crucial that its members prioritize the needs of the American people and work towards bipartisan solutions. The ouster of McCarthy serves as a reminder that elected officials must be held accountable and that power should not be wielded without regard for the well-being of the citizens they serve.
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