Rep. Thomas Massie said the ousting of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has become an “unmitigated disaster” after the House failed to get enough support for two important votes Tuesday.
“Getting rid of Speaker McCarthy has officially turned into an unmitigated disaster. All work on separate spending bills has ceased. Spending reductions have been traded for spending increases. Warrantless spying has been temporarily extended. Our majority has shrunk,” the Kentucky Republican said Wednesday on X.
The House fell short in its attempt to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas – an important move for Republicans. Four Republicans joined with Democrats to tank the effort.
Republicans were embarrassed by the failed vote, which happened again just minutes later when a bill to fund Israel’s war with Hamas was defeated.
Mr. Massie’s post prompted Rep. Matt Gaetz, who led the effort to oust Mr. McCarthy in October, to defend the move.
“McCarthy lied to us, made secret side deals, increased spending, got rolled by Biden and shrunk our majority by quitting when he couldn’t run the place. His removal was warranted,” Mr. Gaetz, Florida Republican, said.
Responding to a commenter who said getting rid of Mr. McCarthy wasn’t a mistake, Mr. Massie asked them to “name one thing that’s improved under the new Speaker.”
Mr. Gaetz responded: “Here’s one: we haven’t sent any money to Ukraine (yet).”
Mr. McCarthy, California Republican, resigned from the House in December.
The two failed votes don’t look good for House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican who has struggled to unite the small Republican majority in the House. The idea that he will face the same fate as Mr. McCarthy has been floated by some Republicans.
• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.
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