Topline
Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) will not run for the position again, according to multiple outlets, following a 216-210 vote to remove him from office that was fueled by intense divisions within the Republican conference.
216 representatives voted to remove McCarthy as Speaker. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Key Facts
McCarthy first informed House Republicans in a closed-door House GOP conference, and later made a public announcement at a news conference where he strongly defended his record as speaker and repeatedly blasted the eight Republicans who voted to oust him—particularly Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who introduced the motion to remove him.
Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.), who is serving as acting speaker, reportedly said at the GOP meeting that the House intends to “have a candidate forum next Tuesday and an election next Wednesday.”
McCarthy’s departure leaves the door open for several rumored candidates to jump into the race, such as House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) and more.
Crucial Quote
“I don’t regret standing up for choosing governance over grievance,” McCarthy told reporters Tuesday. “It is my responsibility, it is my job. I do not regret negotiating. Our government is designed to find compromise.”
What We Don’t Know
Whether McCarthy will endorse a successor. He said he “might” make an endorsement but declined to make one Tuesday since he said he does not know who is running.
What To Watch For
The next Speaker will be thrust into a tense environment once elected, since the House is staring down the barrel of another potential government shutdown after November 17—the final date the government can operate until thanks to a bipartisan stopgap deal brokered by McCarthy on Saturday.
Key Background
McCarthy was ousted after 269 days in office. The former speaker received pushback from several Republicans during his term, including scrutiny from the hard-right Republican Freedom Caucus. Gaetz filed a motion to remove McCarthy from office, a move McCarthy responded to by saying, “Bring it on,” on X, formerly known as Twitter. The House voted 216-210 to remove McCarthy on Tuesday. Eight Republicans including Gaetz voted alongside all House Democrats for McCarthy’s ouster.
Tangent
Former President Donald Trump didn’t take sides between McCarthy and Gaetz. Instead, he criticized Republicans for infighting in a Truth Social post Tuesday and suggested the party should focus on fighting “Radical Left Democrats who are destroying our Country.”
Further Reading
McCarthy Ousted: First House Speaker Ever Booted From The Job (Forbes)
‘Bring It On’: McCarthy Fires Back After Motion To Vacate Filed By Gaetz (Forbes)
Trump Criticizes Republican Infighting—But Still Won’t Take Sides (Forbes)
