Rep Kevin McCarthy removed as House speaker in unprecedented vote

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) was ousted as House speaker after failing to withstand a rebellion among far-right dissidents, as the House voted for the first time in history to remove its leader and entered a period of unpredictability and paralysis. Rep. McCarthy later announced he would not seek the position again, setting up an expected intraparty battle for the position second in line to the presidency. House Republicans now need to select a new leader and find consensus for funding the government by mid-November or again risk a shutdown. The House won’t meet again until Oct 10, when candidate forums will begin for those who seek the speakership. House Republicans also wanted time for emotions to settle and to prevent increased animosity among GOP lawmakers if they remained together now. Democrats voted as a bloc against McCarthy after he refused to ask them for help and publicly dismissed trying to become a coalition speaker for all in exchange for their support. All Democrats present joined Republican Reps. Andy Biggs (AZ), Ken Buck (CO), Tim Burchett (TN), Elijah Crane (AZ), Matt Gaetz (FL), Bob Good (VA), Nancy Mace (SC) and Matthew Rosendale (MT) to eject Speaker McCarthy. Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) is now acting speaker until the House elects a new speaker. He was selected for the role by Speaker McCarthy, his close friend, under a post-Sept. 11 rule that requires the House speaker to make a secret list of who would be named acting speaker in case of a vacancy in the role.