Skip to main content
Politics & Policy

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of California Ousted in Dramatic Vote

Written by Associated PressPublished Oct. 03, 2023 • 1:54pm
Republican Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy talks to reporters following a closed-door meeting with House Republicans on Saturday. | Source: J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo

Speaker Kevin McCarthy was voted out of the job Tuesday in an extraordinary showdown, a first in U.S. history. The 216-210 vote, forced by a contingent of hard-right conservatives, throws the House and its Republican leadership into chaos.

McCarthy’s chief rival, Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, brought forward the “motion to vacate” drawing together more than a handful of conservative Republican critics of the speaker and many Democrats who say he is unworthy of leadership.

Next steps are uncertain, but there is no obvious successor to lead the House Republican majority.

This is a developing story.

Questions, comments or concerns about this article may be sent to info@sfstandard.com


A long line of people are outside City Hall for the public comment portion of a board of supervisors meeting later where Supervisor Dean Preston will introduce a resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.

Hundreds Gather at San Francisco City Hall To Speak Out About Gaza Cease-Fire Resolution


An exterior photo of San Francisco City Hall on a sunny day.

San Francisco Residents Could Vote on Drastic Reforms to City Hall Next Year


An aerial view of an empty Market Street in San Francisco.

Did Car-Free Market Street Kill San Francisco’s Most Important Boulevard?


Mayor London Breed signs legislation

San Francisco Mayor Guts City Programs as $1B Budget Shortfall Looms


Supporters hold campaign signs during a rally for DA Brooke Jenkins that have text in both English and Chinese.

Citing Cultural Appropriation, San Francisco Tightens Rules on Candidates’ Chinese Names