The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday voted to oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy of California from his job, as infighting among his fellow Republicans plunged Congress into further chaos just days after it narrowly averted a government shutdown.
The 216 to 210 vote marked the first time in history that the House removed its leader, driven by a relatively small group of right-wing Republicans.
The rebellion was led by Rep. Matt Gaetz, a far-right Republican from Florida and McCarthy antagonist who accused the party leader of not doing enough to cut federal spending.
It was the latest moment of high drama in a year when the Republican-controlled House brought Washington to the brink of default and the edge of a partial government shutdown.
Republicans control the chamber by a narrow 221-212 majority, meaning that McCarthy could afford to lose no more than five votes if Democrats united in opposition.
That happened on Tuesday, as eight Republicans voted with 208 Democrats to remove McCarthy from his post.
“Republicans have turned the House into chaos, elevating extremism and the MAGA faction of their party. They intentionally pushed our country toward a historic default of our debt and a federal government shutdown,” said Rep. Sara Jacobs, who represents central San Diego County. “That’s why I voted for the Republican Motion to Vacate the Chair and remove the Speaker of the House.”
Rep. Darrell Issa, the sole Republican in the San Diego delegation, voted to keep McCarthy as Speaker, saying on X that “Kevin McCarthy has kept his promises and is the leader House Republicans need right now. I’m standing with the Speaker.”
The vote left Congress in uncharted waters as it scrambles to update farm-subsidy and nutrition programs, pass government funding bills, and consider further aid to Ukraine.
It was unclear who would succeed McCarthy, who has represented the Bakersfield area in Congress since 2007.
Other Republican leaders like Steve Scalise and Tom Emmer could possibly be candidates, though neither has publicly expressed interest. Another member of the Republican leadership team, Rep. Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, was named to the post on a temporary basis.
The last two Republican speakers, Paul Ryan and John Boehner, retired from Congress after clashing with members of their right wing.
In theory, lawmakers could vote to give McCarthy back the job. He did not respond to questions after the vote.
In debate on the House floor, Gaetz and a handful of allies criticized McCarthy for relying on Democratic votes to pass temporary funding that headed off a partial government shutdown.
“We need a speaker who will fight for something — anything — other than staying on as speaker,” said Republican Rep. Bob Good.
McCarthy’s supporters, including some of the chamber’s most vocal conservatives, said he had successfully limited spending and advanced other conservative priorities even though Democrats control the White House and the Senate. They warned their gains would be at risk if they removed their leader.
“Think long and hard before you plunge us into chaos, because that’s where we’re headed,” said Republican Rep. Tom Cole.
Democrats said they would not help Republicans resolve their own problems. They broadly view McCarthy as untrustworthy after he broke an agreement on spending with Democratic President Joe Biden, and are angered by his decision to green-light an impeachment investigation of the president.
“Let them wallow in their pigsty of incompetence,” Rep. Pramila Jayapal told reporters before the vote.
Gaetz was one of more than a dozen Republicans who repeatedly voted against McCarthy’s bid for speaker in January. McCarthy ultimately secured the gavel after 15 rounds of voting. In order to win the job, McCarthy agreed to rules that made it easier to challenge his leadership.
McCarthy supporters have said Gaetz was motivated by a hunger for publicity, a chance to win higher office, or resentment over an ongoing ethics probe into possible sexual misconduct and illicit drug use. Rep. Garret Graves pointed out that Gaetz has been fundraising off his effort to oust McCarthy. “It’s disgusting,” he said.
Gaetz has denied wrongdoing and said he is not motivated by a dislike of McCarthy.
“This isn’t a critique of the individual — it’s a critique of the job. The job hasn’t been done,” he said.
Reuters contributed to this article.