The motion was initiated by Rep. Matt Gaetz, who’s had a bone to pick with McCarthy from nearly the onset. However, even though the majority of House Republicans voted to keep McCarthy as Speaker, the eight who voted against him (alongside 208 Democratic lawmakers) were enough to send McCarthy packing.
In the weeks since then, Republicans have been unable to elect a House Speaker. This is not a good look by any means. It shows that current officials lack the ability to govern, despite barely taking back the chamber during the 2022 midterms.
This GOP fight over a House Speaker will furthermore provide Democrats with ammunition in 2024. If Republicans don’t believe their current actions are making the case that the party lacks the fitness to lead, they’re lying to themselves.
The best course of action
All things considered, the House GOP members would be better served by reinstalling McCarthy as speaker and then proceeding with official business.
If Republicans can’t even come together to choose a speaker, how can they make sound decisions on legislation? The longer this mayhem drags on, the worse position the collective Republican Party will find itself in, come 2024.
