It appears that the U.S. House is without an elected leader following the hard-right Republicans decided to oust the Speaker Kevin McCarthy and eight of them voted along with every one of the House Democrats to vote for it. McCarthy’s term of House speaker the most brief he has had since 1875 and the speaker passed away in his office from consumption.
In the audience watching this incredible moment on the media gallery Alaska Public Media Washington Correspondent Liz Ruskin.
Listen:
The transcript was edited lightly to improve clarity.
Casey Grove: Liz What was the atmosphere like in there?
Liz Ruskin: It was truly sad. Roll call votes were a manual which means that the clerk referred to every member in the House with their last names. After the vote was completed and the yays, nays, and yays were the vote was almost silent inside the chamber. With all the journalists and guests in the galleries, there must have been thousands of people there. There was an uneasy murmur came up from the Republican part on the other side of the table, a person yelled “Now how do we proceed?” And that really is the issue.
Casey Grove:Yeah So what now?
Liz Ruskin: Well, no one knows. The Republicans were huddled behind closed-doors. The Democrats will return on Monday to form a huddle. There are a variety of names being discussed and we’ve received word of Kevin McCarthy won’t run again. Democrats when they left the Chamber stated that they’d be voting for Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic chairman, Hakeem Jeffries – which is essentially an attempt to say that they’re not willing to help the Republicans. They were united today and had the majority of Democrats taking a vote in favor of the motion to withdraw.
Casey Grove:That’s all of the Democrats in the room, right? I believe Alaska Congresswoman Mary Peltola did not cast a vote.
Liz RuskinThat’s right. She hasn’t been back home to Washington since her husband’s death on September. 12. She’s currently in Alaska together with family. Her office has said she’s been in standby and ready to fly into Alaska if her decision was required, however it’s not been as simple as the issue of. The vote, for instance to remove the chair was approved with five votes in the majority.
Casey Grove: Extreme-right Republicans insist that they would like to consider specific spending legislation, and not a huge bundle all rolled up into one. Do you think that’s a reasonable demand?
Liz RuskinIt does, in fact this is the way it’s supposed. The Appropriations Committees review each of the spending bills, one at a time one, before each bill is brought to the House and Senate floor to be voted on. But the problem is that certain of these House Republicans who have been a source of contention for the side of the speaker are those who block the spending bills. That’s why Republicans that are loyal to McCarthy are like arsonists who complain that their home is burning, while blocking firefighters.
Casey Grove: This weekend Congress prevented a government shutdown, extending the funding of the government until the middle of November. It appears that they didn’t accomplish much prior to, and then they are able to do this.
Liz RuskinRight now, the House appears more stale than it has ever. One of the biggest ironies for me, however it is that the primary reason for McCarthy’s demise as well as the reason that this group of eight voted to eject him and not resign, is that he had passed the bill to fund a temporary spending plan with the assistance of Democrats. So the hard right of congressman Matt Gaetz, ousted the speaker. And he did it mostly with Democratic votes. All Democrats supported the decision to remove the chair.
Casey Grove: It’s natural to understand that Congresswoman Peltola is currently in Alaska and the thoughts of Alaskans continue to stay with her, her husband and family. Do we know when Peltola will return to D.C.?
Liz RuskinShe’s planned to return mid-October, and I believe that’s the situation. Of course she’s been in contact with her office informs us that their the doors are open to clients who require help. they also say that the congresswoman stays on contact regularly.
