October 07, 2023 12:15 am | Updated 08:05 am ISTThe “surprise” ouster of U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy from the top post of the lower chamber of Congress has once again left the Republican Party exposed as a fractured collective. The ensuing vote saw Mr. McCarthy, a lawmaker from California, defeated by 216 votes against 210 that supported his continuance as Speaker. Eight Republicans sided with the entire Democratic Caucus of the House to deny Mr. McCarthy his political ambitions in Congress. Towards this goal, Mr. McCarthy had signed off on a 45-day temporary spending bill, much to the chagrin of his Republican detractors in the House. Ultimately, however, the recalcitrance of this group could prove to be politically costly for the entire party, as 2024 is an election year.

Source: The Hindu October 06, 2023 21:23 UTC