Congress has officially voted to remove California Representative Kevin McCarthy (R) from his position as Speaker of the House after Florida Representative Matt Gaetz (R) filed a motion against him.
The position was declared vacant after Congress reached a 216-210 vote. Many House Republicans voted to keep Rep. McCarthy but the combination of the group of often-dissenting Republicans known as the “Freedom Caucus” and House Democrats was too much to overcome for those in favor of McCarthy.
Texas Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (D) stated that she voted to remove McCarthy in order to protect her local community. Furthermore, the congresswoman said she would endorse House Minority Speaker Hakeem Jeffries (D).
“Rushed back to Washington to join my leadership to fight for the vulnerable people in our cities like Houston and our rural communities as we move to continue to fund the government, address the deficit, and end draconian appropriations’ cuts…”
Rushed back to Washington to join my leadership to fight for the vulnerable people in our cities like Houston and our rural communities as we move to continue to fund the government, address the deficit, and end draconian appropriations’ cuts…
— Sheila Jackson Lee (@JacksonLeeTX18) October 3, 2023
“like those cutting food for families, and cutting support for law enforcement and programs to stop violence throughout our nation that will stop our cities from functioning.”
like those cutting food for families, and cutting support for law enforcement and programs to stop violence throughout our nation that will stop our cities from functioning.
— Sheila Jackson Lee (@JacksonLeeTX18) October 3, 2023
“Therefore, I am not voting for the Speaker — I do believe that Republicans and Democrats can unify behind @RepJeffries.”
Therefore, I am not voting for the Speaker — I do believe that Republicans and Democrats can unify behind @RepJeffries.
— Sheila Jackson Lee (@JacksonLeeTX18) October 3, 2023
Texas Representative Greg Casar (D) explained his vote, claiming that Republican extremists had attacked democracy.
“Tonight, I voted to remove Kevin McCarthy as Speaker. McCarthy & his enablers are right-wing extremists that have undermined democracy, attacked our basic rights, & disgraced Congress. Democrats must continue our fight to make this government work for working people.”
Tonight, I voted to remove Kevin McCarthy as Speaker. McCarthy & his enablers are right-wing extremists that have undermined democracy, attacked our basic rights, & disgraced Congress.
Democrats must continue our fight to make this government work for working people. pic.twitter.com/LuBSbq343S
— Congressman Greg Casar (@RepCasar) October 3, 2023
Several critics have lambasted McCarthy’s tenure as speaker of the House. Texas Representative Vicente Gonzalez (D) took umbrage with McCarthy’s antics and style of governing.
“Time and time again, when we should have been working to better our constituents, we instead wasted time on political pageantry and theatrics all because Kevin McCarthy was unable to control his party. That is why I voted to oust him from the speakership.”
Time and time again, when we should have been working to better our constituents, we instead wasted time on political pageantry and theatrics all because Kevin McCarthy was unable to control his party.
That is why I voted to oust him from the speakership.
— Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (@RepGonzalez) October 3, 2023
Senate candidate and current Texas State Senator Roland Gutierrez (D) blamed the extremist attitudes for McCarthy being voted out.
“Our institutions are broken in Texas and now in Washington. Extremism has taken over. Republicans in the House and Senate have failed to effectively govern. Speaker McCarthy was ousted today. On November 5, 2024 I will oust Senator Ted Cruz.”
Our institutions are broken in Texas and now in Washington.
Extremism has taken over. Republicans in the House and Senate have failed to effectively govern.
Speaker McCarthy was ousted today. On November 5, 2024 I will oust Senator Ted Cruz.
— Senator Roland Gutierrez (@RolandForTexas) October 3, 2023
