McCarthy's ousting means chances of government shutdown 'go up significantly'

08 October 2023 , 15:48

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McCarthy was felled by a rebellious caucus of far right Republicans (Image: AP)

The far-right caucus of Republican members of Congress behind the historic ousting of Speaker Kevin McCarthy do "not seem interested in responsible governance," an expert has revealed.

Grant Reeher, director of the Campbell Public Affairs Institute and a professor of political science at Syracuse University, told The Mirror that McCarthy getting binned by his own party makes the likelihood of a government shutdown "go up significantly."

Speaker Kevin McCarthy was voted out of the job on Tuesday in an extraordinary showdown — a first in U.S. history, forced by a contingent of hard-right conservatives led by Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida. Gaetz orchestrated the rare vote on the obscure “motion to vacate,” and pushed ahead swiftly into a dramatic vote.

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Former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy looks surprisingly happy post-ousting (AP)

McCarthy's ousting came just days after the House approved a 45-day funding bill to stave off a federal government shutdown. But it bought just a few weeks and further long term plans will have to be worked out. A Congress without a majority leader just adds to the uncertainty.

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When asked if a full shutdown becomes more likely, Mr Reeher told The Mirror: "It depends on who becomes speaker. I'm assuming that the new speaker will be voted in before the next funding deadline. In that case, it will depend in large part on whether that speaker more reflects the views and political tactics of the right wing of the Republican caucus. If so, the odds of a shut-down go up substantially."

McCarthy departs the office still bearing his nameplate after getting the boot from his own party (AP)

Democrats refused to come to McCarthy's aid meaning the far-right caucus overturned his slim majority. The ensuing chaos comes as a government shutdown looms, having been narrowly avoided with help from McCarthy.

Mr Reeher notes: "The instigation for it came entirely from the right wing Republicans, and the Democrats were reacting predictably, for political advantage. But they seem to be getting a pass from this from the media.

"If it's bad for the country, then it's worth noting that every single voting democrat voted for this outcome. There was nothing to prevent them from keeping this from happening by voting to table the motion or voting against vacating."

Professor Grant Reeher, director of the Campbell Public Affairs Institute and a professor of political science at Syracuse University (supplied - Charlie Lawrence Jones)

With the House trying to pick a new leader as soon as next week, a number of candidates have been put forward. Mr Reeher said: "I don't see how any of them could actually unite these members, because the far right wing of the caucus does not seem interested in responsible governance, and regards compromise - the hallmark of a representative body that does not function like a European Parliament, where a small group of leaders from the majority party or coalition completely control all important affairs - as anathema."

Any successor to McCarthy will need to confront the right wing caucus eventually and Mr Reeher believes will just run into "similar problems."

Charlie Jones