© Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK
Kevin McCarthy
Washington, DC- – Members of the House of Representatives have voted to remove California Congressman Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House — leaving the speakership vacant. McCarthy lost the gavel after putting his position up to a vote, after Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz advanced an effort to challenge his speakership.
McCarthy says he won’t run again for Speaker. This is the first time in U.S. history that a speaker of the House has ever been voted out of office.
Before Tuesday’s vote, McCarthy admitted his position was precarious but expressed a belief he’d keep the speaker job.
This came in response to McCarthy having worked with Democrats to advance a so-called stop gap spending bill, which averted a government shutdown ahead of last weekend. The House will reportedly meet next Tuesday to decide on a new speaker. A vote could come as early as Wednesday.
Meantime , North Carolina Representative Patrick McHenry is currently Acting Speaker.
