Rep. Matt Gaetz Announces Motion to Vacate House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s Speakership This Week

Congress passed a short-term funding bill Saturday night to avert a government shutdown and keep the government funded through November 17th. In response, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) announced Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union” that he intends to file a motion to vacate the speakership of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) this week.

Gaetz said he has been trying to do this for some time, citing McCarthy’s lack of trustworthiness. He also expressed his support for providing Ukraine with the weapons they need, but said that border security funding must be prioritized.

In response to Gaetz’s announcement, McCarthy said, “That’s nothing new. I think we need to rip off the Band Aid. I think we need to move on with new leadership that can be trustworthy.”

The bill passed Saturday night did not include new funding for Ukraine, which had been a priority for Democrats and the White House. McCarthy said that those wanting more funding for Ukraine will have to give in on border security funding.

The motion to vacate the speakership, if successful, would be a major shake-up in the House of Representatives. It is unclear at this time how the motion will be received by other members of Congress.