The United States House of Representatives made history on Tuesday. But to many politicians, it’s no cause for celebration.
For the first time ever, the House voted to remove its Speaker. A 216-210 vote ousted Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy of California. McCarthy now says he won’t run for the position again. That leaves the future of the House unclear.
“I may have lost this vote today, but as I walk out of this chamber, I feel fortunate to have served,” says McCarthy.
The Speaker of the House serves an essential role. This figure presides over the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of Congress. That gives him or her great influence in the legislative (lawmaking) branch of the U.S. government. The Speaker sets the agenda and determines who gets to speak. This person also stands second in line to become president, should something happen to both the President and Vice President.
Typically, the party in control of the House elects a Speaker from its own ranks. But Republicans hold the current majority, and McCarthy is a Republican. So what happened?
At the end of September, the House couldn’t agree on a federal budget. Democrats wanted to increase aid to Ukraine and put more money toward disaster relief. Republicans argued for spending cuts to avoid deeper debt and higher taxes. If they couldn’t approve a budget, the government would shut down. Important government programs and services would halt. Soldiers would work without pay.
With little time to spare, Speaker McCarthy made a compromise with the Democrats. The new spending bill cut aid to Ukraine, but it included increased funds for disaster relief. President Joe Biden signed it. The government avoided shutdown.
But not everyone was happy.
Republican Representative Matt Gaetz of Florida accused McCarthy of cozying up to the Democrats. He introduced a motion to remove McCarthy as Speaker. “Chaos is Speaker McCarthy,” Gaetz told his fellow House members.
Eight Republicans voted to remove McCarthy, tipping the majority against him. The vote left many Republicans confused and angry. It revealed the division within the party. Republican Representative Patrick McHenry of North Carolina now temporarily fills the role of Speaker. A future vote will determine the permanent leader.
But the spending compromise lasts only until mid-November. Then the House will need once again to agree on how to fund the government. If lawmakers can’t negotiate a budget, they again risk a government shutdown.
Jesus says that “no city or house divided against itself will stand.” (Matthew 12:25) Throughout U.S. history, politicians such as Abraham Lincoln used that verse to urge national unity. Today’s politicians seem divided—even within their own parties. But in the midst of political chaos, God remains in control. His purpose stands.
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. — Proverbs 19:21
For an update on the newly elected Speaker, read A New Speaker in the House.
