On Tuesday, October 4, in a narrow 216-210 vote, Kevin McCarthy was removed as Speaker of the House of Representatives. Matt Gaetz of Florida and seven other Republicans voted with Democrats to oust McCarthy in a historic move. Gaetz, along with Andy Biggs, Ken Buck, Bob Good, Tim Burchett, Eli Crane, Nancy Mace, and Matt Rosendale, accused former Speaker McCarthy of falling short of his promises made to secure support for his speakership in January of this year. During debate, Gaetz hammered McCarthy for his acquiescence to raising the debt ceiling in June. He also accused McCarthy of making a secret deal with President Biden over aid to Ukraine, which Gaetz and his allies are deeply opposed to.
Those defending the Speaker reminded the House of his legislative success despite the GOP’s narrow majority in the House and accused Gaetz of plunging the body into chaos. A clear favorite to replace McCarthy has not yet emerged among Republicans, and McCarthy has stated he will not seek re-election to the position. Representative Patrick McHenry of North Carolina has been named speaker pro tempore until a new speaker is selected.