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What are the next steps after Kevin McCarthy ousted as House speaker?

Until a new speaker is installed, it is unlikely that further action will be taken on bills to fund the US government

The US House of Representatives has voted to remove its speaker for the first time in its history. Photograph: Mark Schiefelbein/AP

Wed Oct 4 2023 - 13:15

The US House of Representatives for the first time in its history has voted to remove its speaker, as infighting in the bitterly divided Republican majority toppled Kevin McCarthy from the position.

Here is a look at what comes next.

Is there an acting speaker?

Immediately following Tuesday’s 216-210 vote to oust McCarthy, Republican representative Patrick McHenry, a McCarthy ally, was appointed acting speaker for a very limited time – up to three legislative days in this case.

The acting speaker’s duties are vague, according to a guide on the chamber’s rules and procedures: That person “may exercise such authorities of the office of speaker as may be necessary and appropriate pending the election of a speaker or speaker pro tempore.”

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While the speaker sets the overall legislative agenda in the House, it is the House majority leader (Republican Steve Scalise) who schedules specific bills to be debated and voted upon in the chamber.

Republican representative Kelly Armstrong told reporters that McHenry’s main task will be to “get us a new speaker”. Anything further, he said, would spark a move to oust McHenry.

Will there be a freeze on legislating?

Until a House speaker is installed, it is unlikely that further action will be taken on bills to fund the government, with lawmakers facing a November 17th deadline to provide more money or face a partial government shutdown, which would see closure of parts of the federal government and the non-payment of wages to military personnel.

Republican lawmakers said they would need at least a week to choose a new speaker, which will eat into the time necessary to pass that legislation.

Battles over those bills and anger over McCarthy’s failure to win extremely deep spending cuts sought by hard-right conservatives sparked the successful move by representative Matt Gaetz to unseat him.

Ousted Republican speaker Kevin McCarthy says that he has no regrets after becoming the first person in history to be removed from the role. Video: Reuters

What are House Republicans and Democrats doing?

The House’s 221 Republicans and 212 Democrats are privately trying to figure out their next steps – both political and legislative.

Each party was expected to try to settle on a candidate for speaker. That’s fairly easy for Democrats as they are solidly behind minority leader Hakeem Jeffries, who ran for speaker in January against McCarthy and other candidates.

Republicans, because of their divisions, especially among a small group of hard-line conservatives seeking very deep cuts in federal spending, could have a harder time settling on a candidate.

McHenry could have an advantage now that he is acting speaker. It was unclear whether he wants the job. McCarthy said he will not run again.

The House finds itself in an unprecedented position and so it is unclear exactly how quickly an election will be held in the full House. Normally, the elections for speaker are scheduled at the start of the new Congress every two years.

[ Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s fall was always on the cards ]

When will the election for the next speaker take place?

The leaders of both parties will have to decide when they are ready to enter into the process of electing a speaker.

The January endeavour was sloppy as McCarthy struggled to get enough votes to win and had to endure 15 ballots.

It could be at least as chaotic this time round for Republicans, unless they conclude that such chaos is creating public backlash that could damage their election prospects in 2024.

[ ‘Now what?’: Kevin McCarthy’s historic downfall blocks business and sets up leadership battle ]

Who can run for speaker?

Under the US constitution, the House speaker does not have to be a member of Congress. That is the reason some Republicans have floated the name of former president Donald Trump for the job, even though he is running for president and has said he does not want the position. – Reuters.

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