House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) lost a last-ditch move to block the effort to remove him as speaker, clearing the way for a historic vote on Tuesday that will decide the fate of his speakership—as Democrats side with a group of hard-right Republicans to oust McCarthy.
Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) is surrounded by staff, security and journalists as he ... [+]
The House voted 208-218 against a measure that would have tabled the motion brought late Monday by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) to eject McCarthy, with 11 Republicans voting with Democrats to proceed with a vote on McCarthy’s removal.
The measure, introduced by Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), would have delayed the motion to vacate, though Gaetz has vowed to reintroduce it until it passes.
The House immediately moved to debating Gaetz’s motion to vacate after the effort to block it failed, and lawmakers are expected to take a final vote on his removal by late afternoon—marking the first time since 1910 the House has voted on removing a speaker.
This is a developing story and will be updated.