The US House of Representatives made history by voting to remove Kevin McCarthy as Speaker, marking the first time this has happened in the chamber’s history. Eight Republicans, along with all present Democrats, voted in favor of ousting McCarthy in a 216-210 vote, ending his nine-month tenure as Speaker. McCarthy announced that he would not run for the position again.

This unexpected vote has created a power vacuum within the divided Republican chamber, and it remains unclear who will succeed McCarthy as leader of the House Republicans. Patrick McHenry, a McCarthy ally, is currently serving as the acting speaker, but he has limited authority and cannot bring forward legislation or engage in official House business until a permanent leader is elected.

Several Republican figures, including Matt Gaetz, Steve Scalise, Tom Emmer, and Jim Jordan, have been mentioned as potential candidates for the position. Additionally, there is speculation that former President Donald Trump could be drafted as a wild-card candidate for Speaker.

The White House has urged House Republicans to act quickly in selecting a new Speaker to address the issues affecting the American people. Meanwhile, the Senate continues its regular operations, but the looming government shutdown, scheduled for November 17, presents a significant challenge for the incoming Speaker. Resolving funding issues and addressing critical matters, including Ukraine funding, will be among the new Speaker’s top priorities.

Source: with agencies