Kevin McCarthy ignores questions after being removed as House speaker

(3 Oct 2023) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS Washington - 3 October 2023 1. Various of Former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy walking from the House floor to his office inside the U.S. Capitol, ignores questions from reporters STORYLINE: Speaker Kevin McCarthy was voted out of the job Tuesday in an extraordinary showdown, a first in U.S. history that was forced by a contingent of hard-right conservatives and threw the House and its Republican leadership into chaos. McCarthy’s chief rival, Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, forced the vote on 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. McCarthy ignored questions from reporters as he walked from the House floor to his office following the vote. Next steps are uncertain, but there is no obvious successor to lead the House Republican majority. Stillness fell as the presiding officer gaveled the vote closed, 216-210, saying the office of the speaker "is hereby declared vacant.” Moments later, a top McCarthy ally, Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., took the gavel and, according to House rules, was named speaker pro tempore, to serve in the office until a new speaker is chosen. The House then briskly recessed so lawmakers could meet and discuss the path forward. =========================================================== Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: [email protected]. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...