There is a developing power struggle within the House of Representatives among Republicans. Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-FL) has submitted a “motion to remove” Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) from his role as House Speaker.
Allegedly, a pivotal vote to determine the outcome is scheduled for Tuesday evening at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
Today I’m filing a motion to vacate against @SpeakerMcCarthy. pic.twitter.com/voGdX1Ky67
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) October 2, 2023
Several weeks ago, Rep. Gaetz had issued a warning, stating that if McCarthy either included significant funding for the Ukraine conflict in the budget or hinted at dropping the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, McCarthy would face a vote of no confidence.
However, on Sunday, President Joe Biden’s announcement of a negotiated agreement with McCarthy on Ukraine funding stirred frustration among Republicans.
Reporters ask Rep. Matta Gaetz about his motion to remove Kevin McCarthy as House Speaker.
— Real Mac Report (@RealMacReport) October 3, 2023
Rep. Matt Gaetz: "Biden says there's a deal with the Speaker on Ukraine. The Speaker just stood up in front of us and said there's no deal on Ukraine. Someone's lying about whether or not… pic.twitter.com/KI1NESJbn7
Fox News has reported that several fiscally conservative Republican representatives are pushing for McCarthy’s removal. They claim that McCarthy failed to uphold his commitment to adhere to budget spending limits and instead supported a 45-day continuing resolution to fund the government.
The continuing resolution garnered support from Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in the Senate and nearly all Democrats in the House, with only three dissenting votes. In the House, 126 Republicans voted in favor of the continuing resolution, 90 opposed it, and five did not cast a vote. This leaves McCarthy in a precarious position, facing the potential of being ousted as Speaker.
As of Tuesday morning, at least five Republicans, including Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Eli Crane (R-AZ), Bob Good (R-VA), and Tim Burchett (R-TN), have announced their intention to vote for McCarthy’s removal. On Monday evening, Biggs publicly stated his intent to vote against McCarthy, expressing concerns that McCarthy had not effectively controlled federal spending and had failed to confront the Democrats: “Last November, I ran for House Speaker because I feared that Kevin McCarthy would not rein in federal spending and take on Democrats. As seen by his latest CR, these fears are now a reality. He cannot remain speaker.”
Last November, I ran for House Speaker because I feared that Kevin McCarthy would not rein in federal spending and take on Democrats.
— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) October 2, 2023
As seen by his latest CR, these fears are now reality.
He cannot remain Speaker.https://t.co/lyImFCOHgI
It has been reported that McCarthy has been reaching out to moderate Democrats in an attempt to persuade them to vote “present” instead of “yes,” with the hope that this will enable him to retain his position as Speaker.
During a weekend interview, McCarthy downplayed the potential challenge of a motion to remove him from his role, confidently stating, “Let it come.”
🚨BREAKING: Kevin McCarthy is telling Rep. Matt Gaetz to “Bring it on” after he filed a motion to vacate him as Speaker of the House.
— Ian Jaeger (@IanJaeger29) October 3, 2023
Who else supports Matt Gaetz? pic.twitter.com/WKPD1I1Pqe
