ELECTIONS, POLITICS, & GOVERNMENT
Utah’s congressional leaders react to ousting of McCarthy as House Speaker
Oct 3, 2023, 8:30 PM | Updated: Oct 4, 2023, 11:41 am
Rep. Blake Moore, R-Utah, speaks on the topic “Federal Taxes, Debt and Deficit" at Sutherland Institute's 2023 Congressional Series at the Olene S. Walker Institute of Politics and Public Service at Weber State University in Ogden on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023. Moore along with Rep. John Curtis and Rep. Burgess Owens voiced their displeasure over the ousting of Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023. (Kristin Murphy/Deseret News)
(Kristin Murphy/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — In a historic vote Tuesday, Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., was ousted as the House Speaker.
The vote was 216 to 210 against McCarthy, with eight Republicans voting to remove him.
Later Tuesday, McCarthy announced that he will not run for Speaker again. All three of Utah’s congressional leaders voted against removing McCarthy during Tuesday’s vote.
Additionally, all three issued statements regarding Tuesday’s turn of events.
Rep. Blake Moore, R-Utah, posted a statement on X. He says the Republicans holding control of the House is the American people’s only line of defense against President Biden polices.
— Congressman Blake Moore (@RepBlakeMoore) October 3, 2023
In a statement, Rep. John Curtis, R-Utah, says he is disappointed by how members of Congress have acted, leading up to Tuesday’s vote.
“Congress set a new low today. Republicans turning on Republicans and Democrats standing around with lighter fluid and matches. No one’s interest was served with the removal of Kevin McCarthy. Instead of working on the budget, the border and run-away inflation we’re reenacting our high school years. I stand ready to work with any reasonable member of Congress to put this back together again and work on the real problems of our day.”
Rep. Burgess Owens, also on X, said Tuesday’s vote is a setback in the legislative process.
Democratic policies have sown chaos at our border, in our cities, and throughout our economy. Further complicating matters, today eight @HouseGOP members aligned with Democrats – one individual driven by a personal vendetta – to disrupt the legislative process.
— Rep. Burgess Owens (@RepBurgessOwens) October 3, 2023
Read more:
- Matt Gaetz moves to oust Kevin McCarthy as House speaker
- McCarthy elected House speaker after days of painstaking negotiations and failed votes
