Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif, became the first House speaker in U.S. history ousted from the position; but now, the biggest question is what happens next.
Without an elected House speaker, Congress will not be able to hold votes and bills cannot be brought to the floor. This means nothing can be done with border security, Ukraine funding or government spending until an election is held.
However, committees can still meet and congressional hearings can continue.
Following the vote, McCarthy announced he would not be running for speaker again. Now, no clear leader has emerged for House Republicans in the wake of this.
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., motioned to remove McCarthy on Monday after the House passed a short-term government spending bill this past weekend with Democrat support and without deep spending cuts or Republican provisions for border security.
On Tuesday, all Democrats and eight Republicans voted to remove McCarthy as speaker. Gaetz even continued to criticize McCarthy after the vote.
Related Coverage
AllSides Picks
Headline Roundup
Trump Signs Order Renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America
August 27th, 2026
Headline Roundup
PA Gov. Shapiro Signs Order Requiring Stricter Data Center Regulation
August 25th, 2026
Recommended Reading
When AOC Takes a Step Back—and Possibly Forward
Dan Schnur
August 24th, 2026
Recommended Reading
When Establishment Democrats Dodge a Bullet
Dan Schnur
August 17th, 2026