WASHINGTON — Both Minnesota Rep. Michelle Fischbach and North Dakota Rep. Kelly Armstrong spoke out against the vote to remove Rep. Kevin McCarthy from his role as House speaker Tuesday, Oct. 3.
Fischbach said she was "disappointed" following the vote. The District 7 Republican, who represents nearly all of western Minnesota, said McCarthy, "stood up to Democrats and forced President Biden to agree to the largest federal spending cuts in a decade." He ended the Omnibus Bill and Congress is working on 12 separate appropriation bills, she added.
"And, he opened an impeachment inquiry against President Biden," Fishcbach said. "I am truly disappointed that all of that work is going to be halted until another Speaker is elected."
The 216-to-210 vote marked the first time in history that the House removed its leader, with eight Republicans voting with 208 Democrats to remove McCarthy, R-Calif.
The eight GOP members that voted to remove McCarthy include:
- Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona
- Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado
- Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee
- Rep. Eli Crane of Arizona
- Rep. Bob Good of Virginia
- Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina
- Rep. Matt Rosendale of Montana
- Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida
Gaetz, a far-right Republican from Florida and McCarthy antagonist who accused the party leader of not doing enough to cut federal spending or to stand up to Democratic President Joe Biden, led the rebellion.
In an appearance on the Plain Talk with Rob Port podcast, Armstrong decried the move, saying the House of Representatives could become "just the same clown car with a different driver."
Armstrong said that those who initiated the move against McCarthy were "chasing whatever case they can get of mediocre celebrity" and were not motivated to govern. He added that the decision was motivated by personal grievances rather than policy.
According to Armstrong, all that the eight Republicans accomplished was ceding control to Biden and Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
A vote on a new speaker is planned for Oct. 11, though for now the House will remain without a leader.
