by Nicholas Ballasy at Just the News
The GOP-led House on Tuesday voted in favor of removing Republican Congressman Kevin McCarthy as House speaker, marking the first time in U.S. history the leader of the chamber has been removed in such a process.
The unofficial vote tally was 216-210.
“The office of speaker of the House of the United States House of Representatives is hereby declared vacant,” Arkansas GOP Rep. Steve Womack, who was presiding over the proceedings, said after the vote.
The effort to oust McCarthy was led by Florida GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz, who on Monday night filed procedural paperwork known as a “Motion to Vacate.”
Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) is now serving as speaker pro tempore.
McCarthy, a California Republican, early Tuesday morning allow the vote, considerably before the two-day deadline.
The motion to vacate is an up or down vote of yea, nay or present.
All Democrats voted in favor of removing McCarthy along with seven conservative Republicans…
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