by ALANA REYES
Nine months ago, Kevin McCarthy won a hard-fought battle in the longest Speaker of the House election since the Civil War. Now, he faces the repercussions of his concessions, becoming the first speaker in U.S. history to be removed from the position.
McCarthy made numerous controversial moves to secure the speakership last January, including reinstating a rule that required only one member of the House to initiate a vote for his removal.
With a looming government shutdown and a paralyzed House, Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) took advantage of the opportunity, leading the motion to oust McCarthy last month.
“It is becoming increasingly clear who [McCarthy] already works for, and it’s not the Republican conference,” said Gaetz of the now-former speaker.
On Oct. 3, a handful of hard-right Republicans headed by Gaetz guided the narrow vote of 216-210 to officially remove McCarthy from the position, commencing the historic vacancy.
Less extreme Republican representatives criticized the hardliners’ attack, predicting the inefficacy a change would have in pushing the House to act. “I cannot conceive of a more counterproductive and self-destructive course,” said Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Calif.).
“It’s our job to do the American people’s work,” said Rep. Rick Allen (R-Ga.) as events unfolded last month. “If we disrupt the leadership in our conference, you’re gonna destroy everything we’ve worked for for the last almost a year.”
Their anticipations were proved correct as a lengthy three-week battle ensued, with Republicans standing divided on how to fill the position.
Contenders included Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Steve Scalise (R-La.) and Jim Jordan (R-Ohio). Jordan, co-founder of the Freedom Caucus, failed to win the speakership after three ballots.
But on the fourth vote, the House reached a consensus, electing Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) as the 56th House speaker.
Johnson’s triumph surprised the country as a relatively unknown representative, making this his debut in the national sphere of politics.
Johnson serves as an advocate for the religious right, historically opposing abortion rights, same-sex marriage protections and leading efforts to overturn the 2020 Presidential election.
Said Johnson: “Go pick up a Bible off your shelf and read it … that’s my world view. That’s what I believe. And so I make no apologies.”
Elected as a House representative in 2017, he is also the most inexperienced candidate to accept the speakership in the past 140 years. Despite this disadvantage, Johnson had no intention to prolong the House’s stagnation.
“We’re going to dispense with all the usual ceremonies and celebrations that traditionally follow a new speakership, because we have no time for either one,” Johnson said. “The American people’s business is too urgent in this moment.”
“You’re going to see an aggressive schedule in the days and weeks ahead. You’re going to see Congress working as hard as its ever worked, and we’re going to deliver for the American people.”
Johnson followed through with his promise, quickly leading his first legislation: a resolution with an overwhelming vote declaring solidarity with Israel and to provide any necessary military, diplomatic and intelligence assistance to defeat Hamas.
Further, Johnson says he “isn’t afraid” to alter the current motion-to-vacate rule that still stands from McCarthy’s election.
“I’m not afraid of it because I’m going to openly work transparently and work with every member and everyone … will fully understand what we’re doing and why,” Johnson said.
“I really want to empower our chairman and the committees of jurisdiction and all the talented people in the House, and make them more of a part of the big decisions and the situations and the processes here and ensure regular order.”
Following the election, President Biden met with the new Speaker in hopes of instilling solidarity among legislators.
“As I said when this process began, whoever the Speaker is, I will seek to work with them in good faith on behalf of the American people,” Biden said.
“Even though we have real disagreements about important issues, there should be mutual effort to find common ground wherever we can. This is a time for all of us to act responsibly, and to put the good of the American people and the everyday priorities of American families above any partisanship.”
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