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Kevin McCarthy will not run to become Speaker of the House again.
The former Speaker made that announcement last night, following his removal by a vote of 216-210. It was the first such vote in American history.
“I believe I can continue to fight, maybe in a different manner,” McCarthy told a packed Capitol room outside the Speaker’s office. “I will not run for Speaker again, I’ll have the conference pick somebody else.”
The drama in Washington played out yesterday afternoon, as Florida Republican Matt Gaetz launched a motion to vacate. First McCarthy lost a motion to table. Then he lost the gavel.
“Doing the right thing isn’t always easy, but it is necessary,” he said, smiling. “I don’t regret standing up for choosing governing over grievance.”
In the end, Gaetz and seven other Republicans voted against McCarthy.
"They don't get to say they're conservative because they're angry and they're chaotic," McCarthy explained. "That's not the party I belong to. They are not conservatives and they do not have the right to have that title."
Patrick McHenry, a Republican from North Carolina is the interim Speaker. The House is on break until next Tuesday.