In the midst of a historic vote to remove a speaker of the U.S. House, Sen. John Cornyn has accused the Republicans who worked to remove Rep. Kevin McCarthy of engaging in “terrorism.”
McCarthy (R-CA) was voted out of his speakership by a 216-210 margin after a motion was made by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL). Gaetz, along with seven other Republicans, joined Democrats to oust the California Republican, as reported by The Dallas Express.
The successful motion to vacate the chair makes it the first time in history a speaker has been voted out of his role by the House. Gaetz and the other Republicans were severely chastised by GOP supporters of McCarthy, including Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), in the lead-up to the vote.
“We saw a similar thing happen to Boehner, Ryan, and now McCarthy,” Cornyn said, according to HuffPost. “I’m sure the next speaker is going to be subjected to the same terrorist attacks.”
When people, such as Texas radio show host Chad Hasty, questioned whether Cornyn actually suggested that the effort to remove McCarthy was a “terrorist attack,” the senator confirmed it.
“A handful [of] House members just want to blow up the institution and themselves in the process,” Sen. Cornyn claimed. “Sad.”
In the aftermath, several potential replacements have been proposed as the next speaker.
Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) said, “Kevin McCarthy will NOT be running again as Speaker. I nominate Donald J. Trump for Speaker of the House.”
During the lengthy negotiations earlier this year that eventually resulted in McCarthy ascending to the speakership, Gaetz had voted for Trump, as reported by The Dallas Express.
Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) has reportedly been working to develop a coalition among Southern representatives to form the foundation of his support. Gaetz, the functional kingmaker in the congressional GOP caucus, listed Scalise as one of the members he could back for the speakership.
Other potential candidates mentioned by Gaetz included Reps. Kevin Hern (R-OK), Mike Johnson (R-LA), Jodey Arrington (R-TX), Tom Emmer (R-MN), and former New York congressman Lee Zeldin.