(Washington) The House of Representatives is in uncharted territory, thanks to support from Democrats, after a far-right bid to oust Republican Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House.
A resolution titled “The Shutdown Motion” introduced by Representative Matt Gates (Republican from Florida) passed Tuesday with the support of eight Republicans and all Democrats. Mr. Makes McCarthy, a bitter humiliation that comes after less than nine months on the job.
The California Republican said shortly thereafter that he would not seek re-election. The stunning decision by the House of Representatives left lawmakers of both parties shocked and wondering about the future.
Republican Patrick McHenry, who now serves as acting speaker, has suspended proceedings until the two parties can decide on a path forward. Mr. Since McCarthy has chosen not to run for re-election, there is no obvious successor to lead the House Republican majority.
Here’s a look at what might happen.
Who runs the room now?
Immediately after voting, Mr. McCarthy’s close associate, Mr. McHenry was appointed Speaker of the House pro tempore, or Speaker pro tempore. The Republican Party of North Carolina is selected from a list to be maintained by the Speaker of the House and contains the names of members who may fill the seat in the event of a vacancy in the presidency.
Mr. McCarthy provided this personal list to the House Clerk in January, when he was first elected Speaker. Mr. Although McHenry can serve in this temporary position indefinitely, he does not have all the powers of a duly elected president, only those deemed “necessary and appropriate” for the purpose of electing someone to the position. , according to the rules governing the house.
Mr. McHenry cannot introduce or withdraw any bills. He has no authority to issue or authorize subpoenas for other official House functions requiring the approval of the Speaker.
What is happening now?
Mr. McHenry’s first task was to select a new president.
At this time, it is still unclear who House Republicans will nominate for president. Some MPs walked out of the chamber on Tuesday to vote to reinstate Mr McCarthy and keep him as Speaker until he is elected. But now that he’s not running, the way is clear for any Republican.
Mr. Some members, including Gates, talked about possible consensus nominees such as Majority Leader Steve Scalise or Whip Tom Emmer. Other names in the discussion include Republican caucus chairman Rep. Kevin Hearn and the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and a favorite of the party’s right wing, Rep. Jim Jordan included.
Once the Republicans have chosen their presidential nominee, the House must vote as many times as necessary to get a candidate’s majority and vote for the presidency. In January Mr. As McCarthy had 15 rounds of voting to win the post, the exercise would soon become tougher.
Another president?
Once the presidential candidate receives a majority of the votes cast, the clerk announces the election results.
In an ordinary election held at the beginning of each Congress, a bipartisan commission composed of members from the chosen candidate’s home state then escorts the president-elect to a chair at the podium where he is sworn in. This oath is similar to the oath that new members take when the president is elected.
It is not certain that the same procedure will be followed in the present case. It is customary for the minority leader to include his successor in the Speaker’s chair, where they give back and forth to recognize a possible future working relationship between one party leader and another.
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