Mr McCarthy was ousted as Speaker of the House of Representatives, after failing to gain enough support to pass a vote in the chamber.
On October 3, the US House of Representatives voted 216 in favor and 210 against to remove Chairman Kevin McCarthy from office, following a proposal from Congressman Matt Gaetz. Eight Republicans sided with the Democrats in the vote.
Mr McCarthy left after learning the results and had no comment. Republican Congressman Patrick McHenry was appointed interim leader of the House.
"The reason McCarthy failed today is that no one believed him," said Rep. Gaetz. "McCarthy made a lot of contradictory promises and when the time came, he failed."
This is the first time in the history of the US House of Representatives that a resolution to remove the speaker of this agency has been supported. Republican congressmen are scheduled to meet at 6:30 p.m. on October 3 (5:30 a.m. on October 4, Hanoi time) to nominate a new speaker. Mr. McCarthy can still be nominated for this position again. However, congressman Kevin Hern said Mr. McCarthy has decided not to run for re-election.
The White House said President Joe Biden wants the House to elect a new leader quickly. "Given the urgent challenges facing our nation that wait for no one, he hopes the House will elect a new speaker soon," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.
US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy speaks to reporters in Washington on October 3. Photo: Reuters
After the US House of Representatives on September 30 passed a bill to fund the US government for another 45 days, Mr. Gaetz and far-right Republicans expressed anger because it did not include the provisions they requested, including drastic spending cuts.
Gaetz filed a motion to impeach McCarthy on October 2. Republicans hold a majority in the House of Representatives with 221 seats, while Democrats hold 212. McCarthy cannot lose more than five seats if he wants to remain in office.
McCarthy did not receive any support from Democrats, despite speculation that some Democrats would do so to avoid a House fracas. The eight Republicans who voted to remove McCarthy were Gaetz, Andy Biggs, Ken Buck, Tim Burchett, Eli Crane, Bob Good, Nancy Mace and Matt Rosendale.
Mace accused Mr McCarthy of breaking his promise to her. "I voted for the motion to remove the chairman. This is not about left or right, it is not about ideology, it is about trust and promises," she said.
"Nobody knows what's going to happen next, not even the people who voted to remove the speaker," said Rep. Tom Cole, a McCarthy ally. "They have no alternative. So this is just a vote for chaos," Cole said.
Nhu Tam (According to Reuters, AFP )
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