Will McCarthy's ousting leave US politics 'paralyzed'? | DW News

Members of the US House of Representatives removed Speaker Kevin McCarthy from power in a historic vote Tuesday. McCarthy's ouster represents the first time in the history of the United States that a speaker — the leader of the House majority and second in line from the presidency behind the vice-president — has been removed from office.

"I ended up being the 55th speaker of the House... one of the greatest honors. I loved every minute," McCarthy told reporters after the vote, making it clear he had no intention to stand again. "And the one thing I will tell you is doing the right thing isn't always easy, but it is necessary. I don't regret standing up for choosing governance over grievance." Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden urged the House to choose a replacement quickly.

"Because the urgent challenges facing our nation will not wait, he hopes the House will quickly elect a speaker," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement. Representative Patrick McHenry of North Carolina was tapped as speaker pro tempore after McCarthy's seat was vacated. McHenry, the chair of the House Financial Services Committee, is a McCarthy ally and spoke in support of him before the vote.

How was McCarthy voted out?
The motion to vacate the California Republican was filed by fellow GOP Representative Matt Gaetz of Florida. On Monday, Gaetz announced in the House: "I have enough Republicans where at this point next week, one of two things will happen: Kevin McCarthy won't be speaker of the House, or he'll be the speaker of the House working at the pleasure of the Democrats." In the end, he didn't need that long. Tuesday's 216-210 for removal swiftly saw McCarthy gone after a motion to delay the vote failed just prior. McCarthy's reputation as a comparatively moderate Republican, who has in some cases shown a willingness to compromise with President Joe Biden, ultimately led to his downfall among conservatives.

Open outcome
When McCarthy was appointed in January, he needed a record 15 rounds of voting before assuming the role. He now becomes the first House leader ever voted out of the speakership. Ousting the ambitious Californian threatens to throw the House into total chaos, as no Republican has declared a willingness to take up the gavel. Earlier on Tuesday, McCarthy had said: "I'm an optimist. I put money on myself." That confidence was ultimately misplaced.

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[watchman]

You cannot paralyse something that hasn’t been working.

[borisreljanovic]

Matt Gaetz?!?
Why does media never challenge his voting record during the Trump hyper-spending years?

Let’s not forget he voted for every spending request by the former president.
He sat atop the gigantic debt increase from 2016-2020. Voted for it. Voted to decrease taxes for corporations that would pay the debt.
Matt is the living embodiment of everything wrong in US politics...

[jewiesnew]

He was ousted because he couldn't appease the fascists enough

[gluteusmaximus]

It took fifteen times to vote him in as speaker but only one to fire him! Good riddance !

[sleepy_dobe]

This is what happens when you have a two-party system in a country that's so easily polarised, and politicians who're more interested in lining their pockets with money from big businesses. There are so many things wrong with America's political system, and yet they believe they have a right to tell other countries how they(other countries) should be governed.

[andrewcroft]

" These Americans are crazy"...Obelix the Gaul

[pdballerina]

This is Democracy in action, actually…

[existentialvoid]

THe dems voting him out was a huge mistake. . . I get the 8 hardliners who wanted to shut down the government - they are crazy.
But the dems that voted him out after he was trying to work with them to keep the taps on makes 0 sense.

[RebeccaRhodes-jn]

We also have insurrectiknist in office in the House, right Gaetz, Gomer, Tuberville, Boeburt, and Greene .

[Tanvir]

There will be no more Ukraine Aid approved by the Congress in foreseeable future.

[metrofarmersproduce]

Why democrats join republicans to vote McCarthy out yet he stayed the government open?😮😢

[bird_dogs_n_bees]

what a joke. any grownups in the room?

[happymelon]

🤣🤣🤣
3-10-2023 House Republicans kick Pelosi out of hideaway after McCarthy ouster
Shortly after a historic vote to oust Kevin McCarthy from the speakership, House Republican leadership informed former Speaker Nancy Pelosi that she must vacate her Capitol hideaway office on Wednesday.

[gordonadams]

I love that the toddler caucus is oblivious to the irony of siding with Democrats to vote McCarthy out because he worked with Democrats to fund the government 😂

[pdballerina]

The US Congress has a 15% approval rating.. both parties…. Things have to change

[vectorfox]

A chair is more useful than a McCarthy.

[markvasquez]

LMAO. mcarthy blaming everyone except himself. typical.

[rennydesu]

Sneaking in Ukraine aid through a budget that was supposed to be going towards the southern border was the straw that broke McCarthys back

[UndineNotus]

It wasn't 8 people buddy, It was half of every representative in the house PLUS 8

[felixheilemann]

Why did the democrats vote him out? Are there any special reasons? I don't see the benefits of voting together with hard line republicans.