Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy’s hold on the chamber looks increasingly imperiled, as a coalition of Republicans and Democrats are looking to vote for his removal following the passage of a stopgap spending bill to avert a government shutdown over the weekend.
On Tuesday afternoon, the full House voted against dismissing the motion introduced by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) on Monday to force Speaker McCarthy (R-CA) to vacate the speakership chair.
In a dramatic turn of events, House Minority Leader Hakim Jeffries told his fellow Democrats, “House Democratic leadership will vote yes on the pending Republican motion to vacate the chair” to help end what he called “the House Republican Civil War.”
As instructed, all Democrat lawmakers voted to move the motion forward, as did 11 Republicans, including Bob Good (VA), Gaetz, Eli Crane (AZ), Nancy Mace (SC), Matt Rosendale (MN), Warren Davidson (OH), Victoria Spartz (IN), Tim Burchett (TN), Andy Biggs (AZ), Ken Buck (CO), and Corey Mills (FL).
Gaetz explained his position on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, stating, “I don’t think voting against Speaker McCarthy is chaos. I think $33 Trillion [sic] in debt is chaos. I think not passing single-subject spending bills is chaos. I think being governed by continuing resolutions and omnibus bills is chaos. Chaos is somebody we cannot trust with their word.”
Burchett took to X to express his concern about the House’s lack of action on the budget deficit under McCarthy’s leadership, saying that he would vote to vacate the chair to save the country even though it might mean losing a friend in McCarthy, as well as possibly his own job.
“At some point, we’ve just got to say enough is enough, folks. I hate losing Kevin as a friend, but I worry about losing our country. In all sincerity. We are rapidly approaching that point,” Burchett said.
He added, “That’s why I’m going to vote the way I am. Come hell or high water, I realize I’ll catch on all sides, and it might cost me my job. But I do, honestly, in all sincerity, think this country is worth it.”
The House has now moved forward with debate on the motion to vacate the chair.
McCarthy acknowledged he would likely lose his post while speaking with members of the media on Tuesday.
“If five Republicans go with Democrats, then I’m out,” McCarthy said.
A reporter remarked that such an outcome was likely.
“Probably so,” McCarthy said.