Rep. Matt Gaetz files motion to oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy, throwing House into new turmoil

Late Monday, Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., filed a motion to vacate, setting up a snap vote on fellow Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s continuing in his leadership role. The move puts on display the warring factions in the GOP this year. (Associated Press)

WASHINGTON — Speaker Kevin McCarthy is facing an extraordinary referendum on his leadership of the House after a conservative member of his own Republican majority, a longtime critic, moved to launch a vote to oust him from the helm.

Late Monday, Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., rose in the chamber as the House was almost done for the day to file the motion — a resolution that would set a snap vote in coming days that even Gaetz acknowledged may not have enough support to remove the speaker from the job.