House Votes to Remove Kevin McCarthy as Speaker Transcript

Republican Kevin McCarthy was voted out of his position as Speaker of the House by his own party. It’s the first time in US History that a Speaker has been removed. Fox 5’s Briella Thomasetti is here with the details. Briella, what happened?

Quite a lot to digest, Dan. Good morning to you. One would think, though, that the House would try and elect a new Speaker rather quickly. They are actually taking a week off first. Now the focus shifts, of course, to this question: who will fill McCarthy’s slot? House Majority Leader, Steve Scalise, has emerged as one of the leading contenders, but he’s currently battling multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. Next in line would be Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota, some GOP lawmakers even floating Donald Trump’s name according to House Republican Conference Rules, though that is simply not possible considering Trump has been indicted on scores of felony charges, which carry sentences of more than two years in prison.

The office of Speaker of the House of the United States House of Representatives is hereby declared vacant.

It’s official. Kevin McCarthy is out as Speaker of the House after a historic 216 to 210 vote. 8 Republicans and 208 Democrats voted to oust McCarthy, marking the first time ever that a House Speaker has actually been removed. Seven members were absent.

I will not run for Speaker again.

McCarthy spoke after being voted off the job, announcing that he will not rerun, leaving the gavel up for grabs.

I may have lost a vote today, but as I walk out of this chamber, I feel fortunate to have served the American people.

The California Republican was elected speaker in January on a post-midnight 15th ballot. It was Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz who led the push to boot McCarthy.

Kevin McCarthy couldn’t keep his word. He made an agreement in January regarding the way Washington would work, and he violated that agreement.

The move was sparked by McCarthy’s weekend decision to work with Democrats to keep the federal government open rather than risk a shutdown.

Kevin McCarthy agreed to the Hastert Rule, which is that you would never use the Democrats to roll a majority of the majority.

I don’t regret standing up for choosing government over grievance. It is my responsibility. It is my job.

Action is halted in the House until next week, when Republicans will try to elect a new Speaker, but there is no obvious successor to lead the House Republican majority. North Carolina Congressman Patrick McHenry was named as acting speaker until the chamber chooses a new leader.

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Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has accused Patrick McHenry, the newly named interim speaker, of kicking her out of her office in the Capitol building, an email sent from his office to hers obtained by CNN said, “Going to reassign H132 for Speaker office use. Please vacate the space tomorrow.” Dan and Tashanea, back to you.

Briella, it took 15 votes for Kevin McCarthy to get in and just one for him to be removed.

Unbelievable.

Thank you for that.