House Republicans Vote to Remove Kevin McCarthy as Speaker After Accusations of a “Secret Side Deal” with President Biden

The House of Representatives voted 216-210 on Tuesday to remove House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy as speaker, a move that was forced by far-right Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida.

The vote came one day after Gaetz accused McCarthy of making a “secret side deal” with President Biden on Ukraine aid to get a short-term funding bill passed hours before the government was set to shut down. Gaetz had filed a resolution on Monday that would trigger a floor vote on removing McCarthy as speaker, arguing that McCarthy had not complied with the terms the Florida Republican had insisted upon during negotiations.

Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., became the acting House speaker after the vote and is expected to hold the gavel at least temporarily. House Republicans are expected to huddle about possible speaker candidates at a forum next Tuesday and plan to hold an election for House speaker the following day.

Gaetz had said of McCarthy, “The reason Kevin McCarthy went down today is because nobody trusts Kevin McCarthy.” Tuesday’s announcement came after the House adopted a motion to remove him as speaker.

The roll call for House Resolution 757, the measure “declaring the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives to be vacant,” was 216-210 in favor of McCarthy’s removal. It is unclear who will take over as House speaker, but the House Republicans are expected to hold an election for the position next week.