On Tuesday, Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) led a successful effort to oust Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-California) as the Speaker of the House. All of Alabama’s Republican congressional delegation supported McCarthy, but under the rules of the House, McCarthy’s ouster had enough votes to succeed given the razer-thin GOP majority in the Congress. Following the removal and McCarty’s telling the Republican Caucus that he would not run again, U.S. Representative Gary Palmer (R-AL06) released a statement.
“What we just experienced has never occurred in the history of our nation,” said Rep. Palmer. “For the first time, a Speaker of the House has been removed. This action is reflective of how divided our nation is, including among Republican members of the House. While I am deeply disappointed about where we are, we still must find a way to govern.”
McCarthy’s ouster comes at a critical time with the 12 spending bills still not having passed either House of Congress and the federal government having to operate under a 45-day continuing resolution that McCarthy negotiated on Saturday.
“Our country faces a $33 trillion debt crisis threatening the future of all Americans – those living and those yet to be born,” said Rep. Palmer. “Our border is not secure, threatening not only our economy but also our national security. As Republicans, we must find a way to come together and choose a leader who can unify our party and has the ability to address these issues head on. We have a job to do for the American people, and they deserve a unified majority focused on what’s best for the nation.”
The last GOP Speaker battle was an intense affair that required 15 votes of the House before McCarthy was finally elected as the 55th Speaker. At one point, it appeared as if Congressman Mike Rogers (R-AL03) had to be restrained from attacking Gaetz after Gaetz’s faction thwarted the 14th vote to elect McCarthy as the Speaker of the House. His tenure lasted less than nine months.
The Speaker Pro Tempore – Patrick McHenry (R-North Carolina), has assumed the daily duties of Speaker in the wake of McCarthy’s ouster and ahead of the GOP choosing a new leader.
Palmer is in the leadership in the House as the head of the House Republican Policy Committee. He represents Alabama’s Sixth Congressional District and has already announced that he is running for re-election next year.
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