Kevin McCarthy Ousted as House Speaker After Conservative Rebellion Leaves Republicans Without Clear Replacement

Kevin McCarthy is the first House speaker to be removed by a vote, after a rebellion by conservative Republicans.

The Republican party does not have a clear replacement for McCarthy as speaker. Possible candidates have declined to run or not announced plans.

Democrats chose not to save McCarthy, voting with Republicans to remove him. They will back Hakeem Jeffries, who will likely fall short.

With no speaker, House business has ground to a halt. Patrick McHenry is interim "speaker pro tempore."

Whoever becomes the new speaker will need to find a way to work with Democrats, despite the threat from conservatives.