Indiana and Michigan congressmen speak out against former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's removal
Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted by some of his own.
The call to remove Kevin McCarthy from his position as House Speaker was finalized around 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 3, in response to McCarthy siding with Democrats in the House bipartisan deal to keep the government funded.
The final vote: 216-210, with all Democrats and eight Republicans voting to remove McCarthy from his role.
No Indiana or Michigan Republicans supported the vote to have McCarthy removed. This includes the following Michiana Republicans:
- Rudy Yakym
- Jim Banks
- Tim Walberg
- Bill Huizenga
Prior to the vote, Congressman Rudy Yakym, on Monday, October 2, called the vote a "distraction."
ABC57 followed up with the Yakym following McCarthy's removal; he voted against it.
Congressman Jim Banks of Indiana's 3rd District, Congressman Tim Walberg of Michigan's 5th District and Congressman Bill Huizenga of Michigan's 4th District, join Yakym's sentiments.
Banks took to X, to thank McCarthy for his service to "our county and party," stating the need for a united Republican House.
Walberg released a statement this evening, regarding his dismay towards the eight Republican individuals who created a "blow to the conservative movement."
Congressman Bill Huizenga of Michigan's 4th District spoke with ABC57 hours after the vote was finalized and gavel hit.
Congressman Huizenga commented on the vote's outcome and what it says about the Republican party's ability to govern.
A new House Speaker can't be appointed until next Tuesday, October 10, and for Huizenga, with the Democrats in charge of the Administration and the Senate, he says, "Without the house being able to function at all, there's no check on this administration."
He states that issues such as border security, inflation or a regulation are "wide open" until a House Speaker is back in place.
Huizenga insists that things need to change.
"If we don't change the rules," he says, "we could find ourselves back here again in a month or two months or maybe three months. That doesn't do the American people any good."