An attempt to head off a challenge from Rep. Matt Gaetz and save House Speaker Kevin McCarthy failed on Tuesday, a motion to table Gaetz’s motion to vacate failed 208-218.
Eleven House Republicans joined all House Democrats present in opposition to tabling Gaetz’s motion in order to move the motion to vacate the chair forward.
Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) brought the motion to table, and if it had been successful, it would have ended Gaetz’s current crusade against McCarthy.
Here is the real kicker, earlier on Tuesday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told House Democrats to vote against any hurdles to move swiftly to the vote on the motion to vacate and then use their votes to oust McCarthy from his position as Speaker of the House.
The process now moves on to the final vote on the motion to vacate the chair when, if the math against McCarthy stays the same as on the motion to table, he will wind up without the gavel.
The resolution was filed by Gaetz, a far-right Republican from Florida, who has been critical of McCarthy for working with Democrats on a recent government funding bill. Gaetz has accused McCarthy of being too willing to compromise with Democrats and not being tough enough on his own party’s members.
The failure of the resolution is a major setback for Gaetz and his allies. It also shows that McCarthy still has the support of a majority of House Republicans, despite his recent challenges.
McCarthy’s grip on power may be slipping, but he is not out of the woods yet. Gaetz and his allies are likely to continue to challenge him, and it is unclear how long he can hold on to the Speakership.
Take a look at the following posts to see even more information regarding the chaos in the House.
MOTION TO TABLE MTV FAILS, gavel down.
218 — NAY
208 — YEA— Olivia Beavers (@Olivia_Beavers) October 3, 2023
From colleague Kelly Phares. Democrats have officially been told by leadership per their whip notice to vote NO on motion to table and YES on the motion to vacate.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) October 3, 2023
