Rep. Patrick McHenry, a McCarthy ally, named as interim speaker
By CNN
The US House of Representatives has voted to oust Rep. Kevin McCarthy in a historic vote on Tuesday.
The vote on the motion to vacate was 216-210 with eight Republicans voting to remove McCarthy from the speakership.
The Republicans who voted to oust McCarthy were: Andy Biggs, Ken Buck, Tim Burchett, Eli Crane, Matt Gaetz, Bob Good, Nancy Mace and Matt Rosendale.
The House will now need to elect a new speaker, but there is no clear alternative who woul have the supported to the gavel.
No House speaker has ever before been ousted through the passage of a resolution to remove them. Rep. Matt Gaetz called Kevin McCarthy “a creature of the swamp” following his ouster as Speaker of the House.
“He has risen to power by collecting special interest money and redistributing that money in exchange for favors,” Gaetz said Tuesday about McCarthy. “We are breaking the fever and we should elect a speaker who is better.”
Asked if he would now nominate Rep. Steve Scalise for speaker, Gaetz responded: “I think the world of Steve Scalise. I think he would make a phenomenal speaker.”
Republican Rep. Patrick McHenry of North Carolina will now temporarily lead the House of Representatives after the speaker’s position was vacated on Tuesday.
McHenry, who is a top ally of Kevin McCarthy, was appointed speaker pro tempore.
His name was on a list McCarthy was required to give to the clerk in case of a vacancy.
The speaker pro tempore, which is the official title, can only recess the House, adjourn the chamber and recognize speaker nominations.
