Originally published October 3, 2023 1:57 pm PDT
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) was voted out of his position on Tuesday, a first in U.S. history, after his leadership was put to the test by Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz (R), who initiated the motion for McCarthy to vacate the position.
The presiding officer gaveled the 216-210 vote closed, confirming out loud that the House Speaker’s office “is hereby declared vacant,” The Associated Press (AP) reports.
Despite the initial motion being put on hold temporarily, McCarthy could not garner unanimous support from his own party.
The spotlight was on Gaetz as he adamantly presented his motion to vacate during a session convened by McCarthy.
Oklahoma’s Representative, Tom Cole, attempted to stall Gaetz’s motion by proposing to table it, The Post Millennial reports.
However, the voting results indicated divisions within the Republican ranks.
Of the 221 Republicans, 208 sided with McCarthy, but 11 chose to support Gaetz’s motion.
In addition to Gaetz, those in opposition included prominent figures such as Reps. Andy Biggs, Ken Buck, Warren Davidson, Eli Crane, Bob Good, Tim Burchett, Victoria Spartz, Nancy Mace, Matt Rosendale, and Cory Mills.
Given the House’s composition of 221 Republicans and 212 Democrats, McCarthy needed a minimum of 217 votes to ensure his position as Speaker.
With 11 Republicans dissenting, McCarthy’s grip on the speakership appeared shaky.
Gaetz justified his motion by citing concerns about funding for Ukraine.
In defense of McCarthy, both Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Thomas Massie (R-KY) voiced concerns about Gaetz’s hasty decision, highlighting the lack of a prepared alternative candidate and asserting that Gaetz had “no plan.”
Anticipating the outcome, McCarthy had previously mentioned to the media that he believed it was “likely” he’d be vacated as Speaker.
He pointed out the delicate balance, stating that “only five Republicans needed to vote with Democrats to vacate him as speaker for the resolution to pass.”
This is not the first time such a motion has been witnessed in the House.
In 1910, a similar motion was utilized by supporters of then-House Speaker Joseph Cannon to exhibit solidarity.
Cannon survived the motion, which signified the first time the House had voted to consider removing its speaker.
A more recent threat, in 2015, didn’t make it to a vote, AP notes.
