A motion to table a vote to oust Kevin McCarthy fell short on Tuesday, teeing up a vote to remove the speaker from his post and throwing the House into unprecedented territory.
In a 218-208 vote, with 11 Republicans joining all Democrats, the motion to table did not pass, kickstarting debate on McCarthy’s fate, which was set to be determined by a vote later Tuesday.
McCarthy, facing a motion to oust him from Rep. Matt Gaetz over his handling of the government shutdown threat, attempted to call the Florida Republican’s bluff on Tuesday as he requested the vote.
Speculation for weeks has suggested that Democrats might throw McCarthy a lifeline in exchange for some unspecified concessions.
“It is now the responsibility of the GOP members to end the House Republican Civil War,” Jeffries wrote in a letter to members of his caucus before the vote.
Persons:
Kevin McCarthy, teeing, McCarthy, Matt Gaetz, –, Bob Good, Gaetz, Hakeem Jeffries, ” Jeffries
Organizations:
Republicans, Democrats, GOP, House Republican
Locations:
Florida