Fired: Kevin McCarthy Removed from Leadership in Historic Vote by House of Representatives

Wednesday, 04/10/2023 07:00 WIB

Photo: US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (Getty Images via AFP/CHIP SOMODEVILLA)

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The House of Representatives (DPR) on Tuesday (3/10/2023) fired Kevin McCarthy from the Republican Party as chairman of the council, which is the first time in history that the council has removed a leader through a vote of no confidence.

McCarthy, of California, was ousted when a small group of eight hard-line conservative Republicans joined all Democrats to approve a “motion to vacate” filed by Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz, of Florida, a longtime McCarthy foe.

Moments after the vote ended, Rep. Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, a close McCarthy ally and chairman of the Financial Services Committee, took on the role of interim speaker and led the chamber into recess.

The House Republican Conference plans to meet Tuesday night to plan next steps.

McCarthy’s effective ouster came Saturday when he achieved a surprise legislative victory, allowing Democrats to join Republicans in passing a short-term funding bill that averted a government shutdown.

Although McCarthy pleased the White House with the move, it only fueled already simmering resentment toward his leadership among members of the right-wing Republican Party caucus.

Some of McCarthy’s supporters say they plan to put his name forward in the next round of presidential elections.

However, other members of the Republican leadership have also been proposed as potential replacements, including Majority Leader Tom Emmer of Minnesota and Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana. Both are popular among members of the Republican Party.

The last time a motion to overturn a vote occurred in the House was in 1910, when Republican Chairman Joseph Cannon survived the motion.

McCarthy’s hold on the chairmanship has weakened since he was elected in January, due to a small group led by Gaetz that is unhappy with the Californian.

A source told NBC News on Tuesday that some of McCarthy’s allies were “imploring” a number of House Democrats to vote with them to retain his post as speaker.

“We need Kevin McCarthy to remain our speaker,” Emmer said during the debate. “We will remain focused on our mission to deliver a sensible victory for the American people,” he said, as reported CNBC International.

Gaetz said McCarthy tends to hide the truth.

“No one is selfish if they want the chairman of the DPR to tell the truth,” he said.

Gaetz said that McCarthy no longer represents the interests of the Republican caucus after the party chairman worked with Democrats to pass a temporary funding bill to avoid a weekend government shutdown.

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