Gaetz Files Motion to Vacate Speaker Position, Putting McCarthy's Leadership At Risk
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Representative Matt Gaetz filed a motion to vacate, starting a process where the House must hold a majority vote to remove Speaker Kevin McCarthy from his post within two legislative days.
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Mr. McCarthy can use several strategies to avoid or delay the vote, like holding a majority vote to table the resolution or referring it to a committee of his allies.
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Mr. Gaetz would need only a handful of Republicans to join his effort to remove McCarthy if Democrats remain unified against him.
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Even if Gaetz's first attempt fails, he has indicated he could keep trying until he has enough votes to remove McCarthy.
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This is the third time in the House's history a speaker has faced a motion to vacate, most recently against Speaker John Boehner in 2015.