Rep. Matt Gaetz Files Motion to Remove Speaker Kevin McCarthy from House Leadership Position

In a surprising move, Representative Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) introduced a motion on Monday night aimed at removing Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) from his leadership position in the House of Representatives.

Gaetz’s motion comes on the heels of a tumultuous week of negotiations to avert a government shutdown. During these negotiations, Gaetz had previously threatened to take action against McCarthy if the Speaker sought support from across the aisle.

In response to Gaetz’s move, McCarthy issued a brief statement on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Bring it on.”

Just hours before the midnight deadline on Saturday, McCarthy and the Republican Party presented a temporary deal to fund the government until November 17. This stopgap measure, known as a continuing resolution, garnered bipartisan backing in the House, with 209 Democrats and 126 Republicans voting in favor.

Gaetz confirmed his intention to file the motion to remove McCarthy on Sunday morning during an interview with CNN. He expressed the need to “rip off the Band-Aid” and move forward with new leadership that can be deemed trustworthy, adding, “The only way Kevin McCarthy remains Speaker of the House is if Democrats come to his aid.”

For Gaetz’s motion to succeed in removing McCarthy from his leadership position, it would require the support of 218 votes.

McCarthy defended his actions in the face of Gaetz’s challenges, telling reporters on Saturday, “If I have to jeopardize my job to stand up for the American public, I am willing to do so.”

Notably, Gaetz’s ability to file this motion was facilitated by concessions made by McCarthy earlier in the year. In exchange for the support of staunch House Republicans for his speakership and to expedite the voting process, McCarthy consented to House rules allowing any member of either party to bring forth a motion to remove the Speaker from office.