(KNSI) — For the first time, the Speaker of the House was ousted from the position Tuesday afternoon as Representative Kevin McCarthy of California was voted out of the job, but not all Republicans were on board.
Eight hardline conservatives, led by Representative Matt Gaetz of Florida and every Democrat, gave McCarthy the boot in a 216-210 defeat.
Republican Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07) is one of the no votes.
Fischbach said, “In the last nine months, Speaker McCarthy stood up to Democrats and forced President Biden to agree to the largest federal spending cuts in a decade. He ended the Omnibus Bill process, and now Congress is working on 12 separate appropriations bills, as it should. And, he opened an impeachment inquiry against President Biden. I am truly disappointed that all of that work is going to be halted until another Speaker is elected.”
Seven members – three Republicans and four Democrats – were absent.
The speakership is now up for grabs, as McCarthy said he wouldn’t run again. Speaker pro tempore is Representative Patrick McHenry of North Carolina. Representative Steve Scalise of Louisiana reportedly called fellow Republicans and allies overnight to garner support. The House is in recess until next week.
Congressman Tom Emmer’s (R – MN07) name was bandied about for a potential leader, but he repeatedly said he wasn’t interested. Emmer, Congressman Brad Finstad (R – MN01), and Congressman Pete Stauber (R – MN08) also voted no, with Finstad calling the move “theatrics” and a “distraction from the serious work that we have before us in Congress, but it only contributes to the dysfunction in Washington” which he says his constituents are tired of.
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