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Removal of Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House

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Removal of Kevin McCarthy
The House of Representatives votes to remove McCarthy
DateOctober 3, 2023; 12 months ago (2023-10-03)
CauseOpposition to McCarthy's decision to pass a federal budget continuing resolution by relying on Democratic support
MotiveMotion to vacate the chair introduced by Rep. Matt Gaetz
Outcome
Voting summary
  • 216 voted for
  • 210 voted against
  • 7 absent

The United States House of Representatives voted to remove its speaker, Kevin McCarthy of California, on October 3, 2023, through a motion to vacate filed by Representative Matt Gaetz of Florida, a member of McCarthy's Republican Party. McCarthy's removal marked the first time in American history that a speaker of the House was removed through a motion to vacate. The vacancy started a process to elect a speaker that began following an eight-day recess.

In the 118th Congress, the 2022 midterm elections formed a narrow majority for Republicans in the House of Representatives. The Freedom Caucus, a right-wing congressional caucus of Republican representatives, secured a minority of these seats. McCarthy faced significant opposition from the Freedom Caucus in the Republican Conference during the speakership election for the 118th Congress. After fifteen rounds of voting, McCarthy was elected speaker, conceding to his opponents by allowing any representative to file a motion to vacate. The potential of a government shutdown began to take hold in July 2023, with the Freedom Caucus—in demonstrations of austerity and defiance toward McCarthy—opposing spending bills to fund the government.

By September, the federal government appeared poised to shut down; the Freedom Caucus furthered its warnings to McCarthy by threatening to file a motion to vacate if he also turned to Democratic support. McCarthy nevertheless led the House of Representatives in passing a continuing resolution on September 30, with the passage being reliant on majority Republican and Democratic support. On October 2, Gaetz, a member of the Freedom Caucus, filed a motion to vacate, citing the continuing resolution. Following an unsuccessful motion to table by Republican Representative Tom Cole, Republican representatives debated McCarthy's speakership on the House floor. When the time for debate expired, the House voted to remove McCarthy, with insurgent Republicans and the minority Democrats voting against him. The speakership seat was immediately vacated and Patrick McHenry—a McCarthy ally—was made speaker pro tempore.

Process and replacement

Removing the speaker of the House necessitates the use of a motion to vacate. As part of negotiations for McCarthy's speakership, any single representative can initiate a motion to vacate.[1] The provision has only been used twice in the House of Representatives. In 1910, an unsuccessful motion was filed by Joseph G. Cannon against himself after a revolt.[2][3] In 2015, Representative Mark Meadows proposed a motion to vacate against then-speaker John Boehner, but a vote was not officially called before Boehner resigned. A representative must file the resolution and request a vote; as a privileged resolution, the vote must occur within two legislative days. A vote may be blocked if the resolution is tabled or sent to committee. If passed, an internal list penned by McCarthy would appoint a speaker pro tempore until a new speaker was named. An election would then begin.[4] According to individuals who spoke to The Washington Post, several members of the Freedom Caucus—including Representative Andy Biggs[5]—intend to coalesce around Representative Tom Emmer for his conservative values following McCarthy's removal; Emmer said he has "zero interest in palace intrigue", according to The Washington Post.[6] Majority leader Steve Scalise had been proposed as a potential speaker,[5] but he withdrew from the race on October 12, 2023 after initially winning the Republican nomination the day before. Jim Jordan was the Republican nominee but was dropped by the House GOP conference after failing to win a vote on the House floor three times.[7]

Background

McCarthy's speakership

Representative Matt Gaetz led resistance to McCarthy and successfully filed a motion to recall him.

The 2022 midterm elections resulted in a narrow, 2-seat Senate majority for the Democratic Party and a narrow, 4-seat House of Representatives majority for the Republican Party. In the 118th Congress, the Freedom Caucus, a far-right congressional caucus, secured 45 House of Representatives seats. McCarthy, leader of the House Republican Conference, was elected speaker of the House after several days of voting as opposition—primarily led by members of the Freedom Caucus—mounted against him. McCarthy conceded to his opponents to negotiate their support for his speakership. In May 2023, McCarthy negotiated with President Joe Biden on a deal to resolve a debt-ceiling crisis and an imminent debt default. In response, Republicans, led by Gaetz, balked and blocked a bill protecting gas stoves against federal regulations.[8] The mutiny left McCarthy with a political quagmire to either acquiesce to the insurgents, passing legislation that would face resistance in the Senate, or to negotiate with Democrats, contending with a potential ousting.[9]

Passage of a continuing resolution on the federal budget

By September, the federal government appeared poised to shut down after representatives could not vote on a series of appropriations bills.[10] The Freedom Caucus threatened to depose McCarthy if he turned to Democrats to gather more votes.[11] On September 29, Politico reported that Gaetz had reached out to Congressional Progressive Caucus chair Pramila Jayapal, among other Democrats, about removing McCarthy.[12] The following day, hours before a shutdown was expected to occur, the House of Representatives passed a bipartisan continuing resolution to fund the government through November 17. The resolution was passed in the Senate and signed by President Biden, averting a shutdown.[13] McCarthy had relied on Democratic votes to pass the continuing resolution due to opposition from some House Republicans. The resolution passed the House 335–91, with all but one of the votes cast against it coming from Republicans.[14] Gaetz, who has led intra-party opposition to McCarthy,[15] announced in an interview with CNN that he would move to remove McCarthy for working with Democrats.[16]

Motion to vacate

On October 2, Gaetz filed a motion to vacate, forcing a vote on McCarthy's removal within two legislative days.[17]

Politico's Ryan Lizza postulated that, if McCarthy had retained his position, Gaetz might have simply proposed additional motions to vacate, as there is no limit on the number of times a member can do so.[18]

House Democratic Caucus consensus

Many Democrats would cite an inability for them to trust McCarthy as motivating House Democrats to vote as a unified bloc in support of the motion of vacate. There was also little on McCarthy's agenda that appealed to Democrats on a legislative level. Despite relying on Democratic votes to pass the continuing resolution, after its passage, McCarthy had attacked Democrats on Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan by accusing them of having attempted to obstruct its passage. These comments, amongst others, were seen as one of several instances in which he had established ill will and distrust among House Democrats during his speakership. [19][20] McCarthy publicly ruled out a deal involving support from Democrats in exchange for concessions.[21]

On October 3, prior to the vote, Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries asked Democrats to vote to remove McCarthy.[22] The conclusion was that the pending motion to vacate highlighted the dysfunction in the Republican Party, which Democrats argued made Republicans unsuitable to govern. Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut said, "They [Republicans] need to work this out.... This is not for us to get involved."[19]

Voting and debate

The motion to vacate was considered by the House on October 3.[21] Tom Cole, chairman of the Republican-led House Rules Committee, unsuccessfully moved to remove the motion from consideration, through a motion to table. Following one hour of debate evenly divided between Gaetz and Cole, the motion passed by a vote of 216–210; this was the first time in congressional history the House voted to remove its incumbent speaker.[23]

Results

Vote to table

Representative Tom Cole's motion to table the motion to vacate was unsuccessful.
Vote to table
Party Yes No Not voting
Republican 208 11 2
Democratic 207 5
Percentage 48.8% 51.1%
Total votes 208 Red XN 218 7

The vote to table the resolution was primarily split along party lines; all Democrats present voted against tabling the motion and a majority of Republicans voted to table the motion. Republicans Biggs, Ken Buck, Tim Burchett, Eli Crane, Warren Davidson, Gaetz, Bob Good, Nancy Mace, Cory Mills, Matt Rosendale, and Victoria Spartz voted no.[24]

Vote to vacate

Vote to vacate
Party Yes No Not voting
Republican 8 210 3
Democratic 208 4
Percentage 50.7% 49.3%
Total votes Green tickY 216 210 7

The vote to vacate was mostly split along party lines; all Democrats present voted yes and a majority of Republicans voted no. Republican representatives Biggs, Buck, Burchett, Crane, Gaetz, Good, Mace, and Rosendale voted yes.[24] Biggs, Crane, Gaetz, Good and Rosendale were five of the six "present" votes in the deciding speakership election.

Burchett said his yes vote was "sealed" after McCarthy allegedly said a "condescending" remark about his religious beliefs during a phone call. McCarthy said that he did not intend to upset Burchett.[25]

Mace, who is a member of moderate caucuses such as the Republican Governance Group and Problem Solvers Caucus, defended her vote by citing unfulfilled promises McCarthy made regarding the future strategy of the Republican Conference towards gun violence and abortion.[26] Buck cited similar broken promises regarding the budget. [27]

Jeffries and congressional Democrats said their yes votes were ultimately sealed by a video of "an appearance Mr. McCarthy made on television on Sunday—the morning after Democrats helped him push through legislation to avert a government shutdown — in which he blamed them for trying to prompt a shutdown."[19]

Votes cast by members

Eight Republican representatives voted to vacate the office of Speaker of the House, along with all Democrats who were present.

All House members of the 118th Congress that voted against party lines or were absent for one or both votes, are noted here.

Member Party District Vote to table Vote to vacate
Andy Biggs Republican AZ 5 Against Vacate
Ken Buck Republican CO 4 Against Vacate
Tim Burchett Republican TN 2 Against Vacate
Cori Bush Democratic MO 1 absent[a]
John Carter Republican TX 31 absent[b]
Eli Crane Republican AZ 2 Against Vacate
Warren Davidson Republican OH 8 Against Against
Matt Gaetz Republican FL 1 Against Vacate
Bob Good Republican VA 5 Against Vacate
Lance Gooden Republican TX 5 Table absent
Anna Paulina Luna Republican FL 13 absent[c]
Nancy Mace Republican SC 1 Against Vacate
Cory Mills Republican FL 7 Against Against
Nancy Pelosi Democratic CA 11 absent[d]
Mary Peltola Democratic AK at-large absent[e]
Matt Rosendale Republican MT 2 Against Vacate
Victoria Spartz Republican IN 5 Against Against
Emilia Sykes Democratic OH 13 absent[f]
Frederica Wilson Democratic FL 24 absent[g] Vacate

Aftermath

North Carolina Representative McHenry, a described close ally of McCarthy, was appointed as his temporary replacement as speaker pro tempore of the House.[35] The House's legislative activities were temporarily halted as speaker pro tempore McHenry began an eight-day recess.[36]

Following his removal, McCarthy announced that he would not seek reelection as Speaker, leaving an open race to fill the office. This left the House Republicans in a state of uncertainty, as there is no apparent successor to lead the House Republican majority. The Republican Conference reconvened on October 10 to nominate their first candidate for Speaker, Steve Scalise, who would withdraw before a floor vote.[37] Gaetz said he does not intend to run for speakership.

Former speaker and representative from California Nancy Pelosi was asked to move from her secondary office space in the Capitol by McHenry, who assumed full authority over office space assignments as speaker pro tempore. Maryland Representative Steny Hoyer, former house majority leader, also received a notice from Republican leadership to move out of his Capitol office space.[38] Several outlets reported that McCarthy was behind the move, over Democrats' refusal to support him during the vote.[39] McCarthy has remained in use of the speaker's office during the vacancy of the speakership position.[40][41][42]

Effect on U.S. response to world events

Less than a week after McCarthy's ouster, Israel — one of the United States' closest allies — was attacked by the militant group Hamas. McCarthy's ouster and the subsequent leadership debacle have been cited as the main reasons behind a lack of aid to support Israel.[43] Some McCarthy supporters attempted to use the crisis to reinstall McCarthy as speaker, but these efforts failed.[44]

Responses and analysis

McCarthy's response

Press conference by McCarthy following his removal.

McCarthy declared, "I fought for what I believe in. I believe I can continue to fight, but maybe in a different manner."[45]

Republican response

Former vice president Mike Pence said, "Chaos is never America's strength, and it's never a friend of American families that are struggling." Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich said that Gaetz was "actively destructive to the conservative movement."[46] Gingrich also said that House Republicans should expel Gaetz.[47]

Some Republicans blamed Democrats for not supporting McCarthy. Republican members of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus threatened to quit the caucus after Democrats voted.[48] The National Republican Congressional Committee called Democrats the "Chaos Caucus,"[49] a term originally coined to describe far-right Republicans.[50]

In a press conference following his removal, McCarthy blamed Democrats. He argued that Democrats should have voted against the motion to vacate to protect the institution.[51] McCarthy also said that Pelosi had promised him that Democrats would support McCarthy during a motion to vacate.[31]

Adolfo Franco, a lawyer and Republican Party strategist, speaking from Florida, told Al Jazeera that it was a "five-seat majority in a divided government" that removed McCarthy.[52] "The reality is we have a democratic President, and a democratic Senate. We don’t have absolute majorities. Mr. Gaetz is living in a fantasy world. So I feel terrible for a man who has accomplished so much for our country to be ousted," Franco said.[52]

Statement from 45 Republican members of the House condemning McCarthy's removal

Forty-five Republican representatives wrote an open letter objecting to the McCarthy ejection from his position as speaker.[53][54] The letter said the representatives were "ashamed and embarrassed by what happened", and praising McCarthy's performance as "one of the most accomplished Republican leaders in modern history".[55]

Democratic response

On October 4, Jeffries released a statement wishing McCarthy well and saying that he and McCarthy "had a respectful, communicative, and forward-looking relationship."[56]

Media analysis

The Washington Post political contributor Dan Balz speculated that the ousting of McCarthy could hurt Republicans during the 2024 elections.[57]

Political observers have noted a historical parallel between the turmoil engulfing the House Republican Conference surrounding McCarthy's removal and the events following the resignation of Newt Gingrich precipitated by an internal caucus rebellion in the wake of the 1998 elections. The lead-up to the 106th United States Congress was marked by significant events, including the 1998 bombing of Iraq and the impeachment of Bill Clinton; during this turbulent period, Bob Livingston was briefly the presumptive speaker before he, too, resigned, with then-little-known Dennis Hastert ultimately becoming speaker on January 6, 1999.[58]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Missed due to medical procedure.[28]
  2. ^ Missed for health reasons.[29]
  3. ^ Missed on maternity leave.[30]
  4. ^ Missed due to attending the funeral of California Senator Dianne Feinstein.[31]
  5. ^ Missed due to attending the funeral of her husband Buzzy Peltola.[32]
  6. ^ Missed due to personal family matters.[33]
  7. ^ Missed en route back to the Capitol.[34]

References

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  2. ^ Elving, Ron (September 22, 2023). "House GOP rebels recall a distant era when dissidents rose up against 'Czar Cannon'". NPR. Archived from the original on October 1, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  3. ^ Brockell, Gillian (October 3, 2023). "The last vote to remove a House speaker backfired on the GOP". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  4. ^ Davis, Susan (September 30, 2023). "How the far right could remove McCarthy and why his fate could be in Democrats' hands". NPR. Archived from the original on October 1, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  5. ^ a b Beavers, Olivia; Carney, Jordain (September 28, 2023). "Conservatives pitch McCarthy alternatives as ouster talk heats up". Politico. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  6. ^ Caldwell, Leigh Ann; Sotomayor, Marianna (September 28, 2023). "Hard-liners plot to replace McCarthy with a deputy as shutdown looms". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  7. ^ https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/20/politics/jim-jordan-speaker-fight-vote/index.html
  8. ^ Karni, Annie (June 7, 2023). "House Is Paralyzed as Far-Right Rebels Continue Mutiny Against McCarthy". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  9. ^ Hulse, Carl (June 8, 2023). "Kevin McCarthy Facing Tough Choices After House Mutiny". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  10. ^ Hulse, Carl (September 10, 2023). "Congress Embarks on Spending Battle as Shutdown Looms at End of September". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 25, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  11. ^ Hulse, Carl (September 11, 2023). "McCarthy Is Under the Gun as the House Returns for a Spending Fight". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 25, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  12. ^ Beavers, Olivia; Ferris, Sarah; Diaz, Daniella; Wu, Nicholas (September 29, 2023). "Matt Gaetz is reaching out to Dems about a McCarthy ouster". Politico. Archived from the original on October 1, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  13. ^ Hulse, Carl; Edmondson, Catie (September 30, 2023). "Senate Voting to Keep Government Running Through Mid-November". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 30, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  14. ^ Hulse, Carl; Edmondson, Catie (September 30, 2023). "Congress Narrowly Averts Shutdown as House Democrats Help Pass Stopgap Bill". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 5, 2023. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  15. ^ Karni, Annie (September 22, 2023). "With House Hurtling Toward a Shutdown, Gaetz Is Leading the Resistance". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 1, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  16. ^ Demirjian, Karoun (October 1, 2023). "Gaetz Says He Will Move to Oust McCarthy for Working With Democrats". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 1, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  17. ^ Edmondson, Catie (October 2, 2023). "Gaetz Moves to Oust McCarthy, Threatening His Grip on the Speakership". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  18. ^ Lizza, Ryan (October 1, 2023). "Gaming out Matt Gaetz's bid to oust Kevin McCarthy". Politico. Archived from the original on October 1, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  19. ^ a b c Karni, Annie (October 3, 2023). "Hours Before the Vote, Democrats Decided Not to Help McCarthy". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  20. ^ Kane, Paul (October 4, 2023). "Months of bad blood between McCarthy and Democrats help sink his speakership". Washington Post. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  21. ^ a b Fortinsky, Sarah (October 3, 2023). "McCarthy says he won't give Democrats anything in exchange for support as Speaker". The Hill. Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  22. ^ Racker, Mini (October 3, 2023). "Why House Democrats Refused to Save McCarthy". Time (magazine). Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  23. ^ Edmondson, Catie; Broadwater, Luke (October 3, 2023). "House to Decide McCarthy's Future as Speaker". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  24. ^ a b Cook Escobar, Molly; Elliott, Kennedy; Levitt, Zach; Murphy, John-Michael; Parlapiano, Alicia; Reinhard, Scott; Shorey, Rachel; Wu, Ashley; Yourish, Yourish (October 3, 2023). "Live Vote Count: House Decides Whether to Oust McCarthy as Speaker". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  25. ^ Beitsch, Rebecca (October 3, 2023). "Tennessee Republican: McCarthy's 'condescending' remark on faith sealed vote". The Hill. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  26. ^ Byrd, Caitlin (October 3, 2023). "SC GOP's Nancy Mace votes to remove Kevin McCarthy as speaker: 'This is about trust'". The Post and Courier. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  27. ^ Kim, Caitlyn (October 3, 2023). "Colorado Rep. Ken Buck one of eight Republicans who helped oust McCarthy as speaker". CPR News. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  28. ^ Holleman, Joe (October 4, 2023). "St. Louis-area lawmakers followed party-line voting in ouster of US House speaker". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Archived from the original on October 5, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  29. ^ Choi, Matthew (October 3, 2023). "Texas Republicans stuck with Kevin McCarthy, but it wasn't enough to save him". The Texas Tribune. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  30. ^ Mahoney, Emily L. (October 3, 2023). "How Florida members of Congress voted on ousting Speaker McCarthy". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on October 5, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  31. ^ a b Hutton, Christopher (October 7, 2023). "Pelosi denies McCarthy claims she promised to back him in vote to kick him from office". Washington Examiner. Archived from the original on October 7, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  32. ^ Ruskin, Liz (October 6, 2023). "Peltola says she's still grieving but ready to return to work in Congress". Alaska Public Media. Archived from the original on October 7, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  33. ^ Meyer, Theodoric (October 3, 2023). "Rep. Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Ohio) wasn't present for Tuesday's votes". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  34. ^ Talbot, Haley; Grayer, Annie; Talbot, Kristin (October 3, 2023). "Democratic lawmaker hoping to get back in time to vote to oust McCarthy". CNN. Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  35. ^ Forrest, Jack (October 4, 2023). "Who is Patrick McHenry, the interim House speaker?". CNN. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  36. ^ Joseph (October 4, 2023). "House ousts Kevin McCarthy as speaker in historic vote". TheBlogsCorner. Archived from the original on October 5, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  37. ^ Popli (October 4, 2023). "McCarthy Was Ousted as House Speaker. What Happens Next?". Time (magazine). Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  38. ^ Talbot, Haley (October 4, 2023). "Pelosi says interim House speaker McHenry has ordered her to vacate her office in the Capitol building". CNN. the itol-mchenry-interim-speaker/index.html Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023. {{cite web}}: Check |archive-url= value (help)
  39. ^ Grayer, Annie (October 4, 2023). "McCarthy behind move to kick Pelosi out of her office, sources say – sohttps://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/force-me-out-mccarthy-wont-leave-speakers-office-despite-being-ousted-over-2-weeks-ago/ar-AA1iyKGA he can move into it". CNN. Retrieved October 13, 2023. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  40. ^ Gibson, Carl (October 20, 2023). "'Force me out': McCarthy won't leave speaker's office despite being ousted over 2 weeks ago". Alternet. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  41. ^ Terris, Ben (October 19, 2023). "The office politics of the headless House". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
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  43. ^ Gould, Joe; O'Brien, Connor; McCleary, Paul; Perano, Ursula; Tully-McManus, Katherine (October 7, 2023). "Lawmakers want to help Israel, but political chaos means it won't be fast". Politico. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  44. ^ Hill, Meredith Lee; Tully-McManus, Katherine (October 7, 2023). "Centrist GOP effort to reinstate McCarthy picks up steam after Israel attacks". Politico. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
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  47. ^ Fortinsky, Sarah (October 3, 2023). "Gingrich says House GOP should expel 'anti-Republican' Gaetz". The Hill. Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
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  49. ^ "Shutdown Squad –> Chaos Caucus". National Republican Congressional Committee (Press release). October 3, 2023. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
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  56. ^ Zanona, Melanie; Raju, Manu (October 4, 2023). "House devolves into angry round of retribution following McCarthy's ouster". CNN. Archived from the original on October 5, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  57. ^ Balz, Dan (October 3, 2023). "McCarthy ouster exposes the Republican Party's destructive tendencies". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  58. ^ Hulse, Carl (October 13, 2023). "Past is prologue in the Republican speaker fight". The New York Times. Retrieved October 19, 2023.