McCarthy removed from House speaker role

For the first time in U.S. history, Congress voted to oust a sitting speaker of the House on Tuesday afternoon. House members voted 216-210 to remove Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., from his leadership role. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., led the opposition by filing a motion to vacate the speakership on Monday. That resolution drew support from eight conservative Republicans and the majority of Democrats. House Republicans have no permanent successor set to lead in his place. McCarthy ally Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., on Tuesday was named speaker pro tempore and will serve in the office until a new speaker is chosen.

Why did Gaetz make the motion? Some conservative House Republicans said they had lost confidence in McCarthy after he courted Democrats’ votes over the weekend to pass a measure temporarily funding the government. Gaetz also accused McCarthy of making a deal with the White House to advance legislation funding Ukraine in its war with Russia.

Dig deeper: Read Leo Briceno’s report in The Stew on the deal that averted a government shutdown.