Republican from Florida Spearheaded Effort to Remove US Speaker of the House

On Oct 7, 2023

TL/DR –

Republican Matt Gaetz, along with seven others, voted with Democrats to remove Kevin McCarthy from his position as Speaker of the House, marking the first time a House speaker has been voted out. Despite Gaetz’s vote, no Florida Republicans joined him in voting against McCarthy. McCarthy’s removal throws into question his significant fundraising power for the National Republican Congressional Committee, having aided in raising over $20 million so far this election cycle.

Florida’s Gaetz and Others Topple House Speaker Kevin McCarthy

Florida has once again seized the national political spotlight as Republican Matt Gaetz, along with seven others, sided with Democrats to vote out Kevin McCarthy from his position as Speaker of the House; a first in history.

Hardline conservatives from Florida’s 1st Congressional District, which Gaetz represents, expressed satisfaction at McCarthy’s expulsion. They felt their views were marginalized by the House leadership and that McCarthy failed to take back their government, according to NPR’s Greg Allen and National Journal Managing Editor Ledge King.

Nonetheless, no Florida Republicans joined Gaetz against McCarthy, including staunch conservatives like Reps. Greg Steube, Anna Paulina Luna, and Vern Buchanan. This could be because of Gaetz’s unpopularity due to his ongoing investigation by the House Ethics Committee for various allegations.

Despite these allegations, Gaetz’s constituents remain supportive. His increasing national profile is attributed to his adoption of the former President Trump’s style of breaking norms.

With McCarthy’s departure, his replacement and his campaign fundraising prowess remains uncertain. McCarthy, who helped the National Republican Congressional Committee raise over $20 million in this election cycle, had an appeal to fellow Republicans, said King.