McCarthy says historic vote to oust him was 'personal'

The House Radio-TV Gallery, which handles media relations for the lower chamber of the US Congress, has just told reporters that lawmakers have been advised no further votes are expected for the rest of the week.

McCarthy just held a press conference hours after he was ousted as Speaker.

He attempted some gallows humor, quipping: “I made history, didn’t I?”

The California Republican confirmed publicly that he would not run for Speaker again and reaffirmed his commitment to US support for Ukraine, which some far-right members of his caucus have begun to question.

McCarthy also had harsh words for the Republicans who ousted him.

“I’m not quite sure those individuals are looking to be productive,” he said.

He also added: “I want to be a Republican and conservative that governs.”

Finally, he reflected on the impact that his turbulent run as Speaker had on his family.

"My poor mom," he said. "I think this job is always harder on your loved ones."

And in departing words to the media, he semi-joked: "You probably won't cover me as much. I probably won't miss you, but see you soon!"

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

Asked repeatedly about rumours of tense exchanges with other lawmakers in the past few days, McCarthy jokes: "Wait till my book."

The quip triggered laughter among journalists in the room.

He also hinted that much has been left unsaid about his tenure as leader.

"I bite my lip. I let people say things that are not true, but it's not right," he says.

He jokes that his Italian mother is upset because she reads what the reporters write.

Speaking to reporters, McCarthy continues criticising his Florida colleague, Matt Gaetz, and the seven other rebellious Republicans.

Fundraising emails Gaetz sent amid the infighting were "not becoming of a member of Congress", he says.

But he quickly adds: "I'm not going to blame anyone. There's no blame there."

McCarthy goes on to say the group that ousted him "are not conservatives".

Asked if he will remain a lawmaker after the day's embarrassment, he responds: "I will look at that."

"I'm a Republican. I win by Republicans, I lose by them," says McCarthy.

The BBC asked Jamie Raskin, a Maryland Democrat, if he was concerned about potential disruptions following McCarthy's ousting.

“Yeah. It took a week in January when we did it, and I mean it’s enormously disruptive of our proceedings," Raskin replied.

“The chaos on the Republican side led to everybody’s schedule being overthrown for the next two weeks," he continued, explaining that members were supposed to have returned to their districts to meet constituents.

"All of that got thrown out the window so we could watch some of the worst political rhetoric I've seen in Congress since I've got here, on the floor of the House," he said.

Punchbowl News reports that McCarthy won't attempt a comeback bid for Speaker. CNN just confirmed this reporting.

He is expected to make the announcement in a closed-door meeting with the Republican rank-and-file that's going on right now.

Our reporter, Sam Cabral, saw pizza being wheeled into the conference a short while ago, usually a sign of a long night ahead on Capitol Hill!

Drew Angerer/Getty ImagesCopyright: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Hakeem Jeffries, leader of the Democratic minority in the House, has issued a statement appearing to invite Republican co-operation.

"It is our hope that traditional Republicans will walk away from Maga extremism and join us in partnership for the good of the country,” he said, referring to Donald Trump's "Make America Great Again" agenda.

House Republicans are holding a closed-door meeting at 18:30 ET (right now), CBS News reports. It's unclear what they'll announce publicly afterward.

The House is currently in recess and there will be no more floor votes or action tonight.

House Democrats are not caucusing tonight. They meet tomorrow at 09:00 ET (14:00 BST).

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has issued a statement on McCarthy's ouster.

"President Biden has demonstrated that he is always eager to work with both parties in Congress in good faith on behalf of the American people. Because the urgent challenges facing our nation will not wait, he hopes the House will quickly elect a Speaker," she said.

"Once the House has met their responsibility to elect a Speaker, he looks forward to working together with them and with the Senate to address the American peoples’ priorities."

BBCCopyright: BBC

Rep Tim Burchett of Tennessee spoke to reporters after Kevin McCarthy was ousted as Speaker, and he offered some insight into why he voted to get rid of his fellow Republican.

Burchett mentioned an interview he did with CNN last night where he mentioned he would be praying about his decision.

Then this morning, McCarthy called him with what Burchett described as an "air of desperation".

"And then the first thing out of his mouth was very condescending" about his religious beliefs, Burchett said.

Burchett said that tone "answered my question" of which way to vote.

Not one single Democrat voted to save McCarthy, as some had speculated they might. Their unified opposition spelled the former Speaker's doom as eight Republicans defected.

Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the powerful Oversight committee, told reporters "it was one of the clearest choices we faced".

"This was completely organic and grassroots," he said. "I did not hear a single member... voice any inclination to have us vote for Kevin McCarthy for Speaker."

They remained unified under their own party leader, Hakeem Jeffries.

Jeffries likely won't be Speaker while the Republican party remains in the majority in the House, but would theoretically ascend to the speakership if Democrats retake the chamber in the next election.

BBCCopyright: BBC

South Carolina's Nancy Mace surprised some political watchers today when she voted to oust McCarthy.

Speaking with reporters, the Republican explained she was frustrated her work on federal rape kit legislation could not proceed amid the legislative chaos of this session.

Mace said she was angry “as a fiscal conservative, I'm angry as a woman. I am deeply frustrated".

“That is the consequence of that behaviour," she said. "And I want the American people to trust the Speaker. When the Speaker makes a promise to either side of the aisle, they ought to keep it."

"The House was going to be in chaos if this did not happen," Mace continued. "I am looking for a Speaker who will tell the truth to the American people who will be honest and trustworthy with Congress, with both parties."

"The stages of grief I think are in progress with some of my colleagues," Matt Gaetz told reporters shortly after winning his bid to oust McCarthy.

"I think there was a stage of denial... and now we appear to be headed toward bargaining."

He endorsed the House GOP's second in command, Steve Scalise, for Speaker.

Scalise, however, recently announced he is undergoing treatment for a rare blood cancer and had publicly backed McCarthy.

Two Democratic lawmakers got into the elevator as I was leaving the vote.

“Let the civil war begin,” said one.

The other laughed heartily.

Meanwhile, Matt Gaetz, the leader of this coup against McCarthy, was swarmed by reporters as he left the Capitol.

BBCCopyright: BBC

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

"The office of speaker of the United States House of Representatives is hereby declared to be vacant," Rep Steve Womack, an Arkansas Republican, declared with the bang of his gavel.

This moment is unprecedented in modern US history. The House is now in uncharted waters, but some procedure guides what happens next.

Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, who supported Mr McCarthy, is now the Speaker pro tempore, basically the interim Speaker. He just called the House into recess.

It is unclear if the temporary Speaker will have the full powers of the office, or merely have administrative powers and the ability to oversee a new election.

The rules do not state how long a person could fill in as an interim Speaker or when a new election would be held.

The House will likely be thrown into chaos until another Speaker is chosen. Given the hostile divisions within the Republican caucus, that process could prove as messy as McCarthy's own battle.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

So, it's been decided. Speaker Kevin McCarthy has been told to go.

Here's a look at how the vote unfolded:

• The House has voted to remove McCarthy at 216 votes to 210
• It is the first time in history that representatives have chosen to remove their Speaker from office
• After some deliberation, the Democrats chose not to come to the Speaker's rescue - voting to oust him along with eight Republican defectors
• No clear successor has emerged to replace him
• McCarthy struck a deal to narrowly avoid a government shutdown over the weekend, angering certain Republican factions
• This prompted Florida's Matt Gaetz to file the formal motion on Monday night

There will be plenty of reaction to come, so stick with us as we bring you the all the latest.