The House of Representatives voted 216 to 210 to remove California Republican Kevin McCarthy from his position as House Speaker, the first time a Speaker has been ousted through a vote of the full House in the middle of a congressional term. This comes after McCarthy reached an 11th-hour deal to avert a government shutdown with the help of House Democrats, but a faction of his own party forced his ouster. It is unclear who will take his place as House Speaker, and the vote is a reminder of the deep divisions within the Republican Party.
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House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is facing a potential ousting from his leadership post, as far-right conservatives are pushing for his removal due to his refusal to include massive spending cuts in a bill. House Democrats could be the deciding factor in the vote, as their decision to vote "present" could reduce the number of votes needed for McCarthy to keep his job. The vote will be a key indicator of the future of the Republican Party, as it will show whether far-right conservatives have enough support to overthrow the current leadership.
Senator Lindsey Graham has criticized Representative Matt Gaetz's attempt to remove House Speaker Kevin McCarthy from his seat, calling it a "disaster" for the Republican party. President Joe Biden also commented on the situation, noting that "extreme MAGA Republicans" had attempted to walk away from a deal, but were stopped. With the 2022 midterm elections looming, it remains to be seen how the Republican party will move forward in the coming months.
Seven Republican candidates will take the stage Wednesday night at the Reagan Presidential Library for the second primary debate, without former President Donald Trump who is speaking in Detroit. Moderated by CBS News' Norah O'Donnell, Major Garrett, and Nancy Cordes, the debate will be broadcast live on CBS and streamed on CBSN.
Mitch McConnell has vowed to serve out his terms as Senate Minority Leader and Kentucky Senator, despite questions about his health following two public episodes in which he froze. At a press conference Wednesday, the 81-year-old said he has no plans to step down and reassured supporters that he will remain in office for the duration of his terms. McConnell has been a key figure in the Republican Party and is expected to remain a powerful force in the Senate.
The Republican Party of Nevada has announced that they will be holding a caucus on February 8th to determine the state's presidential primary winner, causing a clash between the 2024 presidential campaigns and party leaders. In response, a super PAC supporting Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' presidential run has suspended its door knocking outreach in Nevada and three other Super Tuesday states. This adjustment is a reminder of the outsized role the PAC has played in DeSantis' campaign, and it is unclear how this decision will affect the outcome of the election.
Dr. Brian Monahan, Attending Physician of Congress, has declared Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell medically cleared to continue with his duties after experiencing a second freezing episode. McConnell, 81, had previously suffered a concussion in March, but Monahan determined that occasional lightheadedness is not uncommon in concussion recovery and can also be expected as a result of dehydration. McConnell is expected to continue his duties as normal.
The first Republican National Committee primary debate took place Wednesday night without former President Donald Trump, who instead opted for an interview with Tucker Carlson. All six candidates present at the debate answered affirmatively when asked if they would support Trump if he were to become the party's nominee, even if he were a convicted felon. Trump's absence from the debate is a sign of his influence in the Republican Party, and the loyalty of his supporters, and it remains to be seen if he will participate in future debates.