Kevin McCarthy's dramatic downfall sent shockwaves through both political parties. Photograph: Maansi Srivastava/New York TimesThe House of Representatives fell silent as Steve Womack, the Republican congressman from Arkansas, read the results of the historic vote: “The office of the speaker of the House of the United States House of Representatives is hereby declared vacant.
The gavel has been handed to Patrick McHenry, but he is merely a caretaker to preside over the election of a new speaker - a process that is shrouded in uncertainty and many Washington veterans warn could take days, if not weeks, to be resolved. Photograph: Mandel Ngan/Getty Images The stalemate could push Congress even further into chaos, given House rules dictate that the chamber cannot deal with any legislative business before a speaker is elected, even as lawmakers stare down another looming government funding deadline in mid-November.
“In today’s world, if you are sitting in Congress, and you took a gamble to make sure the government was still open, and eight people can throw you out as speaker ... I think you have got a real divide,” he said. “Matt Gaetz you just sabotaged our party by showing the American people that we can’t be taken seriously to govern,” said Dan Eberhart, a big Republican donor ... you have toppled a tireless and transparent conservative speaker.”