Rep. Matt Gaetz Formally Makes His Move to Oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy

Matt Gaetz, R-FL, filed a formal motion Monday to remove House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-CA.

The House must vote on the motion within two legislative working days, or on an independent motion to table it or to dispense with.

Gaetz had threatened to bring a motion for several weeks if McCarthy introduced a stopgap budget bill that required Democrats’ approval, as McCarthy did on Saturday after Republican holdouts had blocked previous attempts. McCarthy has been accused of breaking several promises by Gaetz.

McCarthy has had a fierce opponent in Florida’s congressman. Gaetz voted “present” on the 14th ballot in the speaker’s race of January, refusing to support McCarthy, even though he and his supporters believed that they had enough votes for him to win.

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McCarthy is reportedly accused by Gaetz of being the cause of an ongoing ethics investigation which could lead to Gaetz’s possible expulsion from Congress.

To succeed, the motion will need widespread Democrat backing. Gaetz reportedly promised Democrats that he would subpoena Democrats in the impeachment investigation into President Joe Biden if they supported him, but it is unclear what authority Gaetz could have given such promises.

In a sign of disapproval for Gaetz, the Democrat side of House erupted in laughter when Gaetz left after he made his motion.