Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy was sacked from his job on Tuesday, in a historic vote by right wing Republicans, aided by some Democrats.
McCarthy’s ouster came just days after the House narrowly averted a government shutdown.
The 216 to 210 vote marked the first time in history that the House removed its leader, driven by a relatively small group of right-wing Republicans. No clear successor has emerged.
The rebellion was led by Representative Matt Gaetz, a far-right Republican from Florida and McCarthy antagonist who accused the party leader of not doing enough to cut federal spending.
It was the latest moment of high drama in a year that has seen the Republican-controlled House bring Washington to the brink of default and the edge of a partial government shutdown.
McCarthy’s party controls the chamber by a narrow 221-212 majority, meaning that it can afford to lose no more than five votes if Democrats unite in opposition.
That happened on Tuesday, as eight Republicans voted with 208 Democrats to remove McCarthy from his post.
In debate on the House floor, Gaetz and a handful of allies criticized McCarthy for relying on Democratic votes to pass temporary funding that headed off a partial government shutdown.
“We need a speaker who will fight for something – anything – other than staying on as speaker,” said Republican Representative Bob Good.
