McCarthy's Speaker Defeat Spells Trouble for GOP and Functioning Government

Kevin McCarthy's removal as House Speaker by fellow Republicans is harmful and dysfunctional. It encourages partisan gridlock.

To appease his party's extremes, McCarthy made contradictory promises that were impossible to keep. This dynamic will continue.

When Republicans control the House under a Democratic president, government shutdowns and chaos often occur, damaging America's global credibility.

McCarthy's bipartisan budget deal to avoid a shutdown cost him the speakership. This endangers future aid to Ukraine.

Ditching the "majority of the majority" rule for bills would allow cross-party coalitions to govern despite extremists. But this is unlikely.