House Speaker McCarthy Ousted In Unprecedented Vote, Leaving Chamber In Chaos

U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) answers questions at the Capitol after being ousted as House speaker October 3, 2023 in Washington, DC. The House voted by simple majority to oust McCarthy, an effort led by a handful of conservative members of his own party, including Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL). WIN MCNAMEE/GETTY IMAGES.

WASHINGTON — The US House voted on Tuesday 3 October, to remove Representative Kevin McCarthy from the speakership post, a move without precedent, which left the chamber devoid of leader and plunged it into chaos. 

After a far-right contest to Mr. speaker Kevin McCarthy’s leadership, 8 G.O.P. hard-liners joined Democrats to ouster the California Republican of the speaker’s mantle. The 216-to-210 vote displayed the deep polarization in Congress as well as raised questions of who, if anyone, could gather the momentum to govern an increasingly chaotic House G.O.P. majority.