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Representatives from New Mexico react to House Speaker ouster
Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., speaks to reporters hours after he was ousted as Speaker of the House, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
History was made Tuesday as the U.S. House of Representatives voted 216-210 to oust Kevin McCarthy from his position as speaker of the House.
It is the first time in U.S. history that a speaker of the House has been voted out of office.
The rebellion was led by Florida congressman Matt Gaetz after McCarthy relied on Democratic votes to get a short-term spending deal passed on Saturday to avert a government shutdown.
The three Representatives from New Mexico, all Democrats, voted for the ouster and commented on it Tuesday.
U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury
“As a New Mexican, my priority will always be to serve the people of New Mexico and this great country. Under GOP leadership, the House has turned into a political circus, unable to govern and meet its basic constitutional duties. While the GOP wastes time infighting with one another and taking our country to the brink of a shut down, millions of lives are in the balance — from our active-duty military, veterans and federal workers, to our seniors and families with children. Make no mistake, this is a solemn and unprecedented moment in American democracy, as no speaker in the history of our country has ever been voted out by a motion to vacate. But, it is emblematic of a GOP that has been overtaken by extremists and chaos, and an inability to carry basic responsibilities on behalf of the American people. That’s why my priority is to ensure that we are serving the people of New Mexico, not playing political games with people’s lives and American democracy, and that New Mexicans have the resources they need to thrive.”
U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez
“Never before in history has a speaker been removed. I voted against the chaos, right-wing extremism, and threat to our constitutional promise of an America that includes prosperity for every one of us.”
U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez
“I have a responsibility to uphold good governance and deliver for my constituents. Americans deserve better than a speaker who took us to the brink of a debt default, a government shutdown and who has brought chaos and complete dysfunction to Congress.”
