NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Kevin McCarthy (R) has been voted out as Speaker of the House, making history as the first to be ousted through this procedure.
Two Tennessee House members, Tim Burchett (R-Knoxville) and Steve Cohen (D-Memphis), voted against him.
Burchett commented on his decision to vote against McCarthy in a twitter post.
I voted for the motion to vacate, as I said I would. Here's my statement. pic.twitter.com/IUewrPGGqK
— Rep. Tim Burchett (@RepTimBurchett) October 3, 2023
Burchett mentioned in social media previously that he would vote against McCarthy, citing his failure to pass a spending bill to extend the deadline "like we do every year."
Meanwhile, Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Columbia), who considered voting McCarthy out of the position, voted to keep him.
"A team might fire a coach at the end of the season but not mid-game," his twitter statement said. "I fear vacating the speaker would be premature and risk another bloated CR in November."
— Rep. Andy Ogles (@RepOgles) October 3, 2023
It is unclear when a new Speaker will be elected. For now, the interim speaker is Patrick McHenry. He recessed the House so that both parties can begin to find a path forward and hold meetings to choose new speaker nominees.
Here is the list of people who voted for and against McCarthy in the Tennessee House delegation:
For keeping McCarthy:
- Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-South Pittsburg
- Rep. Chuck Fleishmann, R-Ooltewah
- Rep. Mark Green, R-Clarksville
- Rep. Diana Harshbarger, R-Kingsport
- Rep. David Kustoff, R-Germantown
- Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Columbia
- Rep. John Rose, R-Cookeville
For kicking McCarthy out:
- Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Knoxville
- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis
National has more details on the debate on McCarthy's oust and the vote totals.
