Matt Gaetz files motion to remove US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy from his seat

HOUSTON, US

Rep. Matt Gaetz filed a motion on Monday to remove US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy from his leadership post, highlighting infighting within the Republican Party for control of power in Congress.

The rift began two weeks ago as Gaetz threatened McCarthy that if the House Speaker made concessions to pass a short-term funding bill to prevent a government shutdown, he would take action to oust McCarthy from his seat.

A short-term funding bill was passed over the weekend at the 11th hour before Sunday's deadline, with President Joe Biden signing the measure into law and keeping the government up and running until Nov. 17, a move that Gaetz said benefits Democrats.

Gaetz, holding to his word, made good on his threat, introducing a resolution Monday evening to vanquish McCarthy from his leadership post.

“It is going to be difficult for my Republican friends to keep calling President Biden feeble while he continues to take Speaker McCarthy’s lunch money,” Gaetz said, according to The Washington Post.

"Members of the Republican Party might vote differently on a motion to vacate if they heard what the speaker had to share with us about his secret side deal with Joe Biden on Ukraine. I’ll be listening. Stay tuned.”

Whether Gaetz has the 218 votes necessary to oust McCarthy is dependent on both Democratic support and backing from his fellow hardline right-wing conservatives. Gaetz is an avid supporter of former President Donald Trump, and the brash move has alarmed many Republicans, who are concerned that this might set up an internal civil war within the Republican Party.

A vote is expected likely within the next 48 hours. If Gaetz's motion is approved, it would not remove McCarthy from the House of Representatives, only from his leadership post.

McCarthy and his allies have accused Gaetz of attention-seeking to keep himself in the spotlight and holding a personal vendetta against the House Speaker.

In anticipation of this move, McCarthy told CBS on Sunday that he was ready for whatever Gaetz launched his way.

"So be it. Bring it on," said McCarthy. "I'll survive."