Colorado Legislators Play Key Role in Ousting House Speaker Kevin McCarthy
In a historic vote on Tuesday, Colorado lawmakers played a significant role in the ouster of current House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The Republican congressman, known for his negotiation skills and brokerage of a bipartisan deal to prevent a government shutdown, lost his position with a close vote of 216-210.
One Colorado Republican, U.S. Rep. Ken Buck, joined with all House Democrats in voting to remove McCarthy from his role as speaker. Buck, along with seven other Republicans, cited McCarthy's support of short-term funding measures as the reason for their vote.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and Rep. Ken Buck(R-Co.)
In a tweet before the vote, Buck stated that McCarthy "has repeatedly broken his word both to the American people and to members of Congress." He also stressed the importance of changing course towards sensible budgeting.
However, the other two Republican members of Colorado's House delegation, U.S. Reps. Doug Lamborn and Lauren Boebert, stood by McCarthy. Boebert, known for her outspoken criticism of the political establishment, expressed frustration with "broken promises, secret deals, and failed leadership."
Lamborn, a strong ally of McCarthy's, called the ousting "an unfortunate episode in the history of the Republican Party in Congress." He praised McCarthy's efforts in securing the border, reducing debt, and fighting against the "left's extreme social agenda."
Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Co.)
The vote to remove McCarthy came after Republican U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida brought a motion to vacate the speakership, with Boebert initially voting "no for now." However, after the vote, Boebert took to social media to air her frustrations with McCarthy's leadership, stating "I am sick and tired of business as usual in the Swamp."
Despite the drama and division within the House GOP, House Democrats made it clear that they would not intervene. Democratic U.S. Rep. Jason Crow of Aurora called it "their civil war" and stated that they would not "bail anyone out."
The delegation's two first-term Democrats, U.S. Reps. Brittany Pettersen and Yadira Caraveo, echoed the sentiment that House Republicans are in disarray. Pettersen tweeted that Democrats have been committed to working across the aisle, while Caraveo stated that she will not support a speaker whose word cannot be trusted.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.)
Leaders of the state's Republican and Democratic parties also weighed in on the developments. GOP Chairman Dave Williams applauded Buck for his "principled and historic vote," while Democratic Party Chairman Shad Murib criticized the chaos and dysfunction of McCarthy's tenure and called for more common sense in Congress.
For his leading role to oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) from his post, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) on Tuesday called on House Republicans to expel Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.)
In a scathing op-ed published in The Washington Post, Gingrich attacked the Florida Republican as “anti-Republican” and said Gaetz was engaging in “childish behavior” and “has become actively destructive to the conservative movement.”