Iran Press/ America: Speaker Kevin McCarthy was voted out of the job Tuesday in an extraordinary showdown, a first in US history, forced by a contingent of hard-right conservatives and throwing the House and its Republican leadership into chaos.
The final vote was 216-210 in favor of a motion to "vacate the chair." Eight Republicans, led by Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, joined all Democrats present in voting against McCarthy.
It’s nearing the end of the political line for McCarthy, who has said repeatedly that he never gives up, but now has almost no options remaining. Neither the right-flank Republicans who engineered his ouster nor the Democrats who piled on seem open to negotiating.
McCarthy told lawmakers Tuesday evening he would not run again for speaker, putting the gavel up for grabs. The next steps are highly uncertain as there is no obvious successor to lead the House Republican majority.
McCarthy’s chief rival, Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, orchestrated the rare vote on the obscure “motion to vacate,” and pushed ahead swiftly into a dramatic afternoon roll call. 219
