Republican Kevin McCarthy was removed this Tuesday as leader of the United States House of Representatives after a motion against him filed by a member of his own party in retaliation for concessions made to Democrats.

The resolution, introduced on Monday by ultraconservative Matt Gaetz, was approved by 216 votes in favor and 210 against, making history as it is the first time that a motion of this type comes forward. Gaetz is part of the ‘Freedom Caucus’, the wing of the Republican Party more similar to former president Donald Trump.

“It is said that we are going to cause chaos, but the one who is the chaos is McCarthy, someone whose word we cannot trust,” Gaetz even said this Tuesday in the debate that preceded the impeachment vote. According to the ultra wing of the Republicans, the measure seeks to revoke McCarthy for working with Democrats to prevent a temporary closure of the Government, something that was achieved on Saturday ‘in extremis’ with the approval of an extension that extends the Executive’s financing for key issues for 45 days.

Since its presentation, a period of two days was open to include its vote in the day’s agenda, but the leader of the Lower House preferred not to delay the process. After the midterm elections last November, the conservatives have 221 seats in that chamber and the Democrats 212. The leader of the Democratic minority, Hakeem Jeffries, recommended this Tuesday to the members of his party that Vote in favor of firing him.

“Every time there is an obstacle I see it as a challenge,” said McCarthy, whose vote to become leader of that chamber (Speaker) in January required 15 attempts, before the repeated blockades of the most ultra group. Activating the motion of censure only requires that it be promoted by a legislator, whether Democrat or Republican, and that this vote reaches a simple majority.

A list of substitutes

It is an unusual procedure that has been used twice in the last century, both without success: against fellow Republicans Joseph Cannon in 1910 and John Boehner in 2015. On that last occasion it was not put to a votebut his presentation is considered a trigger for Boehner to resign months later.

The rules of the House of Representatives establish that it is the president himself who must prepare a list with their possible replacements in the event that their position is declared vacant. This list would be made public only if this situation were met, and the chosen person would act on an interim basis until the new leader is elected.

For now, the mere presentation of the motion against McCarthy deepens the open division between moderate Republicans and ultras and predicts an unbreathable political climate in Congress between now and the presidential elections in November 2024.