McCarthy is the first House Speaker in history to be ousted by a House vote.
“I will not seek to run again for Speaker of the House,” McCarthy announced in a post on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
“I may have lost a vote today, but I fought for what I believe in — and I believe in America. It has been an honor to serve,” McCarthy added.
I will not seek to run again for Speaker of the House. I may have lost a vote today, but I fought for what I believe in-and I believe in America. It has been an honor to serve. https://t.co/4EMpOuwtzy— Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) October 3, 2023
In remarks Tuesday evening after losing the speakership, McCarthy said he had no regrets.
“I don’t regret standing up for choosing government over grievance. It is my responsibility. It is my job. I do not regret negotiating. Our government is designed to find compromise. I don’t regret my efforts to build coalitions and find solutions,” McCarthy said. “I was raised to solve problems not create them.”
The eight Republican representatives who voted to unseat McCarthy were Andy Biggs, Ken Buck, Tim Burchett, Eli Crane, Matt Gaetz, Bob Good, Nancy Mace and Matt Rosendale. The resolution passed 216-210.
Former Vice President Mike Pence responded to news of the House vote, ousting McCarthy, during a foreign policy forum Tuesday night.
“I am deeply disappointed that a handful of Republicans would partner with all the Democrats in the House of Representatives to oust the speaker of the House,” Pence said.
A vote on a new House speak….