Republican McCarthy Forced Out As US House Of Reps Speaker

The United States (US) House of Representatives voted on Tuesday to oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy from office.

This is as infighting among his fellow Republicans plunged Congress into further chaos just days after it narrowly averted a government shutdown.

Report said lawmakers debated the leadership challenge, and voted 216 to 210 to remove him. No clear successor has emerged as press time.

McCarthy is the first Speaker in US history ever to be removed in this way after a motion to vacate. Florida Congressman, Matt Gaetz, filed a formal motion on Monday to eject him.

The rebellion was led by Representative Gaetz, a far-right Republican from Florida and McCarthy’s antagonist who accused the party leader of not doing enough to cut federal spending.

It was the latest moment of high drama in a year that has seen the Republican-controlled House bring Washington to the brink of default and the edge of a partial government shutdown.

McCarthy’s party controls the chamber by a narrow 221-212 majority, meaning that it can afford to lose no more than five votes if Democrats unite in opposition.