McClellan Statement on Motion to Remove Kevin McCarthy As Speaker

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives voted to strip Kevin McCarthy from the Speakership:

“Today is a solemn day for the House of Representatives, as Kevin McCarthy became the first speaker to be removed from his leadership position through a motion to vacate. Since day one of the 118th Congress, McCarthy has shown an inability to govern, a lack of leadership over his conference, and an unwillingness to focus on the issues that matter to the American people. 

“McCarthy has also proven he cannot be trusted and his word means nothing. Despite making an agreement with the Biden-Harris Administration and Senate Leadership regarding Fiscal Year 2024 funding levels in the Bipartisan Budget Agreement, McCarthy quickly reneged on those promises to cater to the extreme MAGA Republican wing of his conference. He unilaterally launched a baseless impeachment inquiry at the behest of Donald Trump and his MAGA Republican allies in the House in an attempt to exact petty, partisan revenge to distract from their extreme agenda. As a result, the Chaos Caucus reigned over the House and brought us to the brink of a government shutdown.

“Now, House Republicans’ infighting has yet again ground our legislative processes to a halt and thrown their conference into chaos. House Democrats stand united in our commitment to serve the American people and in our support of Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the best option to lead the House – and our country – forward.”

###