For the first time in history, the Speakers of the Canadian House of Commons and the US House of Representatives faced existential crises at the same time. Days later, in the US capital of Washington DC, former Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy did not quit. On October 3, he lost his job when a majority of House members voted to vacate the Speaker’s chair. It seemed, briefly, like something of a triumph for Speaker McCarthy, but that did not last. Speakers dispense committee assignments, determine what legislation the House can consider, and provide strategic political leadership to their own party.

Source: CBC News October 06, 2023 17:11 UTC