Republican Matt Gaetz files resolution to remove Kevin McCarthy as House Speaker

3 October 2023, 09:24

Congress McCarthy
Congress McCarthy. Picture: PA

The far-right Republican has followed through on threats to issue ‘motion to vacate’ after funding bill passed.

Republican Matt Gaetz has filed a resolution to oust Kevin McCarthy as speaker of the US House, setting up a likely showdown vote in the days ahead.

The far-right representative from Florida has threatened for months to use a procedural tool, called a motion to vacate, in a bid to strip his fellow party member of office.

Those threats escalated over the weekend after Mr McCarthy relied on Democrat support for the votes needed to agree on a bill to fund the government and avoid a federal shutdown.

Congress McCarthy
Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy talks to reporters before the resolution was lodged (J Scott Applewhite/AP)

Mr Gaetz followed through on those threats by filing a resolution on Monday.

After filing the resolution, he said: “I have enough Republicans where at this point next week, one of two things will happen: Kevin McCarthy won’t be the speaker of the House or he’ll be the speaker of the House working at the pleasure of the Democrats.

“I’m at peace with either result because the American people deserve to know who governs them.”

Mr McCarthy, who would become the first speaker removed from office by such a motion if the move succeeds, responded minutes later on social media by simply saying: “Bring it on.”

In an earlier speech on the House floor, Mr Gaetz demanded the Speaker disclose the details of a supposed deal he had made with the White House to bring forward legislation to help fund the war in Ukraine during funding negotiations.

He said: “It is becoming increasingly clear who the speaker of the House already works for and it’s not the Republican Conference.”

Brushing off the threat, Mr McCarthy told reporters earlier at the Capitol: “I’m focused on doing the work that has to be done.”

He added that there was “no side deal” on Ukraine, noting he has not spoken to President Joe Biden.

A motion to vacate is a rare and strong procedural tool which has only been used twice in the past century against Republican speakers.

Congress McCarthy
Matt Gaetz with reporters on the steps of the Capitol in Washington (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)

But in recent years, conservatives have wielded the motion as a potential weapon against their leaders.

Mr McCarthy, hoping to appease some on the hard right like Mr Gaetz as he fought to gain their vote for speaker, agreed in January to give as few as five Republican members the ability to initiate a vote to remove him.

When that was not good enough for his critics, he agreed to reduce that threshold to one — the system that historically has been the norm.

That decision has set Mr McCarthy up for the ultimate test of his leadership as he now has to rely on Democrats to withhold their support for any effort to force his removal.

Because the motion is a privileged resolution, it has priority over other measures and the next step for House leaders is to schedule a vote within two legislative days.

If procedural motions do not slow or stop the process, it would take a simple majority of the House to remove Mr McCarthy from his post.

By Press Association

Latest World News

See more Latest World News

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron mark the minute's silence

France observes national day of mourning for victims of Cyclone Chido in Mayotte

Luigi Mangione is escorted into court (

Luigi Mangione denies murdering UnitedHealthcare chief executive

Luigi Mangione pleads not guilty to state murder and other charges after killing of United Healthcare CEO

Luigi Mangione pleads not guilty to state murder and other charges after killing of United Healthcare CEO

Flowers, candles, wreaths and stuffed animals lie in front of St John’s Church

Magdeburg mourns Christmas market attack victims amid fears of social divisions

Romania New Government

Romanian President nominates incumbent premier to lead new government

Palestinians look at home destroyed by an Israeli strike late Saturday in Deir al-Balah

Israeli air strikes on Gaza ‘kill at least 20 people’

US President Joe Biden

Biden commutes 37 out of 40 US federal death sentences

Giant Panda Ke Ke reacts to an ice snow man at the Ocean Park in Hong Kong

Pandas An An and Ke Ke enjoy treats ahead of first Christmas in Hong Kong

Jim Pillen gives a speech

Nebraska governor injured after being thrown by horse

A close-up of the TikTok logo

Albanian PM says TikTok ban not ‘rushed reaction to single incident’

Nissan Chief Executive Makoto Uchida, left, and Honda President Toshihiro Mibe attend a joint news conference in Tokyo

Japanese car giants Honda and Nissan announce merger plans

APTOPIX Brazil Santa Claus Amazon

Santa braves sticky heat of Amazon jungle to bring gifts to children

UnitedHealthcare CEO Killed

Man accused of UnitedHealthcare chief executive’s death to face New York court

Subway Burning

New York City police make arrest after grim death of woman lit on fire on subway

Police carry out an investigation by houses that were hit by a plane in Gramado, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil

10 killed as small plane crashes in Brazilian town popular with tourists

The sun shines on to Vasquez Cirque, new terrain for Winter Park Resort, Winter Park, Colorado

174 skiers and snowboarders rescued after ski lift in Colorado cracks