“Gaetz seeks to remove Speaker McCarthy, faces challenges from both sides.”
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) took formal action on Monday to remove House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) from his position by filing a motion for the chair’s vacancy. This move requires a vote within two legislative days, either on the motion itself or on a separate motion to dismiss it.
Gaetz had been threatening to bring forth this motion for several weeks, especially if McCarthy introduced a temporary spending bill that relied on Democratic support. McCarthy ultimately did so on Saturday after previous attempts were thwarted by Republican holdouts. Gaetz has also accused McCarthy of breaking numerous commitments. Notably, during the January speaker’s race, Gaetz refused to endorse McCarthy on the 14th ballot and voted “present,” effectively obstructing McCarthy’s path to securing the speakership, contrary to what McCarthy and his allies had anticipated.
Furthermore, Gaetz holds McCarthy accountable for an ongoing ethics inquiry that could potentially result in Gaetz’s expulsion from the House of Representatives. The success of this motion will depend on garnering substantial support from Democrats. Gaetz has reportedly offered Democrats the power to issue subpoenas in the impeachment investigation of President Joe Biden in exchange for their support, although the legitimacy of Gaetz’s authority to make such commitments remains uncertain.
As Gaetz concluded his motion, the Democratic side of the House responded with laughter, indicating skepticism and potential resistance to Gaetz’s efforts.
