Here’s what you need to know on the procedure.
How would it work?
A member would have to introduce the resolution on the floor. If they introduce it as a “privileged” resolution, it would force the House to take it up at some point.
Most likely, there wouldn’t be a quick up-or-down vote on removing the speaker. It could be delayed for a certain period of time, and there could be a number of procedural votes as well — on whether to refer it to a committee or on whether it is considered appropriate.
If it does come to the floor for a vote, the motion needs a simple majority to pass. Thus, if all members are present and voting, it would need just 218 votes to pass in this Congress, the same number of votes McCarthy needs to become Speaker of the House.
What about Democrats?
Clearly Democrats are loathe to throw McCarthy a lifeline in his bid to become speaker, but it’s not clear how they would handle an effort to remove the gavel from his hands.
If Democrats did vote to remove the speaker, that would give McCarthy a cushion of four votes. He would be removed if five or more Republicans voted with all Democrats.
However, the last time this came up, in 2015, Democrats signaled they wouldn’t go along with any plan to remove then-Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, largely because they feared a more conservative speaker would emerge.
The history
The motion has only been used once in American history. In 1910, an unsuccessful push to vacate the chair ultimately led to a series of procedural votes that ended up weakening then-Speaker Joseph Cannon, R-Ill.
The little-known procedural move was discussed in GOP circles in the late 1990’s when frustration was building with then-Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga. But it was revived on Capitol Hill in 2015 by a backbench congressman with a bone to pick with GOP leaders.
Then-Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., filed a motion to vacate the chair against Boehner on July 28, 2015. Boehner ultimately resigned amid the GOP mutiny.
Thanks, Gran, for this detailed response!
So, my guess is that McCarthy-Luntz is firmly ensconced. He doesn’t seem to fear this, which tells me that his end of the deal he just delivered is protection from being voted out. What a sham.
I fear Gaetz will wind up being somewhat diminished after this fiasco. I hope he’s the VP pick.
Then-Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., filed a motion to vacate the chair against Boehner on July 28, 2015. Boehner ultimately resigned amid the GOP mutiny.
Hoping for a repeat GOP mutiny, Gran!