Rep. Matt Gaetz plans to file a motion to oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy from his role this week, following McCarthy’s collaboration with Democrats to avoid a government shutdown on Saturday. Gaetz made the announcement during an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, stating that McCarthy had repeatedly violated an agreement made with House conservatives in January and that his deal with Democrats was the “last straw.”
Gaetz aims to move forward with new leadership that he considers trustworthy. This move escalates the ongoing standoff between McCarthy and the more conservative wing of his conference.
McCarthy’s collaboration with Democrats to pass a continuing resolution and keep the government open until mid-November has put his position at risk. Gaetz has been promising almost daily that he will file a motion to vacate if McCarthy does not meet his demands. Gaetz accused McCarthy of lying in negotiations over the continuing resolution, claiming that no one trusts him.
While Gaetz has been gauging House Democrats’ support to remove McCarthy from the speakership, McCarthy remains defiant and challenges his detractors to bring forth a motion against him. The House is gaveled out until Monday when the earliest vote on McCarthy’s position could take place. Leadership would then have two days to schedule the vote.
