Representative Patrick McHenry of North Carolina stepped in as speaker pro tempore of the House of Representatives after a dramatic showdown led to the removal of Kevin McCarthy.
Upon assuming the position on Tuesday night, Mr McHenry – the former chief deputy whip of the House GOP and lover of bowties – slammed the gavel down sending the House into recess.
It marks the first time a speaker pro tempore has been invoked after the ousting of an elected speaker.
Mr McCarthy lost his speakership in a 216 to 210 vote after a contentious few weeks that almost led to a government shutdown. Democrats joined several hardline Republicans, including Florida Rep Matt Gaetz, in moving to boot Mr McCarthy.
From now until the House of Representatives elects a new speaker, Mr McHenry will serve as the acting speaker.
Here’s everything to know about Mr McHenry and his powers as speaker pro tempore.
Who is Patrick McHenry?
Mr McHenry, 47, has been a member of Congress since 2005, representing North Carolina’s 10th district – bowties and all.
During the early years of his tenure, he stirred controversy after making impolite remarks about a US security contractor in Iraq and sparking security concerns after sharing a video of the Green Zone in Baghdad.
Mr McHenry served as the chief deputy whip from 2014 until 2019 during John Boehner’s tenure as speaker.
Notably, Mr McHenry did not join fellow Republicans in trying to overturn 2020 election votes in ex-president Donald Trump’s favour. He voted to certify election results in Arizona and Pennsylvania.
Last year, he assumed the powerful position as chief of the House Financial Services Committee.
Republican debt limit negotiator Representative Patrick McHenry (R-SC) (R) and US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) listen to US House Majority Leader Steve Scalise— (AFP via Getty Images)
Over the years, Mr McHenry has become a close ally of Mr McCarthy. He worked behind the scenes to help Mr McCarthy get enough votes to be elected to the speakership earlier this year and defended him against far-right Republicans when they threatened to oust him.
On Monday, Mr McHenry tweeted that Mr McCarthy “delivered consistent, conservative leadership” saying the House “need his steady hand to make good on our Commitment to America.”
He called a motion to vacate a waste of time and disserve to the American people.
Mr McHenry helped negotiate the deal over the national debt in May and supported the spending bill in September that prevented the government from shutting down.
Now, Mr McHenry will step into the role of speaker pro tempore to help facilitate nominations and elections to the position.
What does the speaker pro tempore do?
Speaker pro tempore is an unusual, and secretive, position within the House.
At the beginning of each elected speaker’s term, they submit a list of reps who could step in for them should they die in office or be unable to perform their duties to the clerk of the House.
Pro tempore is the Latin word meaning “for the time being.”
The list is secretive, only the clerk of the House knows who is on it – in this case, Mr McHenry was first on the list.
The law was enacted after the September 11 2001 terrorist attacks to ensure the government could keep functioning. The position is meant to be temporary until the House can elect an official speaker.
Depending on the reason for the speaker pro tempore to assume power depends on the powers they possess. In Mr McHenry’s case, he “may exercise authorities of the Office as may be necessary and appropriate pending the election of a speaker or speaker pro tempore.”
Mr McHenry cannot administer oath to a member-elect, announce appointments made by the Speaker, appoint conferees, make additional conferees, appoint members to attend a funeral or spread upon the Journal veto message from the president.
What has McHenry done as speaker pro tempore?
For his first act as speaker pro tempore, Mr McHenry furiously banged the gavel sending the House into recess so each party can begin conversations to determine respective nominations for the next speaker.
Afterward, Mr McHenry reportedly ordered former speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to vacate her Capitol hideaway immediately so it could be used for “speaker office use”, according to POLITICO.
While Democrats and Republicans begin trying to determine a successor to the speakership, Mr McHenry will undoubtedly be considered for the role. Though more than likely, he will decline the opportunity.
