Gaetz Says He Will File Motion to Oust McCarthy This Week

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fl., said he intends to file a motion to vacate against House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., as early as this week in an interview on CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday.

This procedural motion allows House members to remove the speaker, but it's not clear who might have the votes to become speaker if Gaetz is successful.

“I do intend to file a motion to vacate against Speaker McCarthy this week. I think we need to rip off the band aid," Gaetz said. "I think we need to move on with new leadership that can be trustworthy."

Gaetz, who has threatened the procedural motion for weeks, was later asked how many Republicans would be voting with him to oust McCarthy.

“Enough so that, when you host this show next week, if Kevin McCarthy is still the Speaker of the House, he will be serving at the pleasure of the Democrats," Gaetz replied.

A motion to vacate is a resolution that declares the House Speaker's office vacant, forcing a vote on whether to remove the speaker.

The Florida Republican's comments come after McCarthy relied on Democratic lawmakers to pass a stopgap funding measure and narrowly avoid a government shutdown on Saturday.