Press Releases

(WASHINGTON, DC) -- U.S. Representative Ed Case (Hawai’i-1st) today voted to remove U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (California-20th) as Speaker of the House.

“I considered my vote every which way, take no pleasure in it, and worked for alternatives” said Case, Vice Chair of the bipartisan House Problem Solvers Caucus. “The last thing I want to do is support the small minority within my Republican colleagues who initiated this removal.

“But at the end of the day, on the vote required of me, I voted for change in the House that I believe best moves us all toward a more functional Congress that actually gets things done for all Americans.”

The motion on which Case voted and which passed 216-210 is technically a motion to vacate, which removes the Speaker. By rules a temporary Speaker Pro Tem is appointed (Representative Patrick McHenry, R-North Carolina (10^th) was so designated) to preside over the House and oversee the process of electing the next Speaker, which is by majority vote of all House members. McCarthy could be re-elected to the Speaker position, or the House could elect another Speaker. The timing of the next vote for Speaker is unknown.

“Under Representative McCarthy’s leadership to date, we have seen dysfunction worsen at a time when we most need Congress to function fully. We have also seen blind catering to an extreme minority even within the Republican Party who do not represent the vast majority of the country and certainly not my constituents, and who prefer dysfunction over practical mainstream governing.

“I cannot support this direction. I will continue to work with my colleagues of whatever party or perspective to put in place both the people and the processes that give us the best chance of a government that most people want: one that works.”

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