Kevin McCarthy removed as House speaker in historic vote [View all]

Source: CBS News

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted from his leadership position in a historic vote on Tuesday after a far-right revolt over his reliance on Democrats to pass funding to avert a government shutdown earlier this month.

It's the first time a House speaker has been removed in a no-confidence vote.

Now someone from a secret backup list McCarthy created in January will likely serve as a temporary speaker overseeing a new election. It's not clear how extensive the power of any temporary speaker would be, but Republicans would likely push for that person to have more power than Democrats would want.

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/house-vote-matt-gaetz-kevin-mccarthy-motion-to-vacate-watch-live-stream-today-2023-10-03/

Outgoing House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

McCarthy was ousted just hours after Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) filed a resolution to vacate the Speakership - with the House voting to agree to the resolution by 216 to 210.

Nearly all Democrats voted with Gaetz and his allies to do so.

McCarthy, 58, thus becomes the shortest-serving Speaker in 147 years - since Rep. Michael Kerr (D-IN), who died in office after eight months in 1876.