Kevin McCarthy ousted as Speaker: What’s next for leaderless US House?
Kevin McCarthy has left the chamber in a state of paralysis until a new speaker is found. That raises the chances of a US government shutdown next month and a delay in further Ukraine assistance. Here are the next steps the House faces: Patrick McHenry, Republican of North Carolina, is now the speaker pro-tem.
Under the rules, he is limited in his powers and likely unable to conduct any normal legislative business. His primary task is to organize the election of a new speaker. If an impasse over choosing someone for that position ensues, the House could grant McHenry time-limited authority to preside over debate and votes on ordinary bills.
That, however, would take a majority vote. McCarthy’s decision not to run again speeds up the process of finding a new speaker. If he had tried a war of attrition with the eight Republican opponents who brought about his downfall, he would have dragged out the process.
McHenry has announced his intention to hold speaker elections Wednesday, Oct. 11. The House Republican majority will hold a closed-door forum on Tuesday, where candidates can put themselves up for the job.
The conference would then vote to select their nominee for speakership. If a strong candidate emerges, McHenry plans to proceed with votes on the floor to install a new speaker. The election will be conducted by a roll call vote on the floor of the House.
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