Kevin McCarthy Voted Out

Why Did He Get Voted Out?

The House of Representatives voted to remove Speaker Kevin McCarthy from his position this afternoon.

The House voted 216-210 to oust McCarthy, with a handful of conservatives joining Democrats to remove him. Seven members were absent. It is the first time in U.S. history that a speaker of the House has been voted out of office. Here's what happens now McCarthy told House Republicans he will not run for speaker again, clearing the way for a new leader. (CNN) 

Earlier this afternoon, McCarthy's allies forced a vote to try to kill Rep. Matt Gaetz's effort, but it failed, with nearly a dozen Republicans joining all House Democrats to keep the issue alive. The House will leave for a week and hold a speaker election next Wednesday. (CNN)

The House will now have to elect a new speaker. The motion to vacate is the House’s procedure to remove its speaker. The chamber’s current rules allow any one member, Democrat or Republican, to introduce the motion. If it is introduced as a “privileged” resolution, the House must consider it at some point, although it could be delayed with procedural votes.

It only needs a simple majority to pass. The motion to vacate passed with 216 to 210 votes. 216-210, with Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz leading the effort. Because of the GOP in the House and a Democratic conference united against him, McCarthy needed the support of nearly all of his party’s members to keep the gavel. (NBC)

It was not immediately clear who would replace the California Republican, and GOP Rep. Patrick McHenry of North Carolina was named speaker in the interim. Here are the House Republicans who voted to oust McCarthy: Andy Biggs of Arizona, Ken Buck of Colorado, Tim Burchett of Tennessee, Eli Crane of Arizona, Matt Gaetz of Florida, Bob Good of Virginia, Nancy Mace of South Carolina, Matt Rosendale of Montana (CNN)

Cites:

           CNN’s Clare Foran, Melanie Zanona, Haley Talbot, Kristin Wilson, and Annie            Grayer. Also NBC News

By: Abby Pesch / Alex Audiss