House makes history, removes McCarthy as Speaker

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is no longer Speaker of the House.

A small group of House Republicans, led by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) — along with Reps. Andy Biggs (Ariz.), Ken Buck (Colo.), Tim Burchett (Tenn.), Eli Crane (Ariz.), Bob Good (Va.), Nancy Mace (S.C.) and Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) — joined with Democrats to oust him in a 216-210 vote.

Tuesday marks the first time the House has ever voted to remove a sitting Speaker, a historic development that will catapult the chamber into another chaotic Speaker’s race following January’s marathon election.

The House is now in uncharted territory.

Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.), a key McCarthy ally, was declared acting Speaker — Speaker pro tempore — chosen from a list designated by McCarthy and shared with the House clerk, a process implemented for continuity of government reasons after 9/11. Members in both parties expect that the Speaker pro tempore has the chief responsibility of presiding over a new Speaker election.