By Sophia Sullivan, Arts & Culture Editor
On the evening of Tuesday, October 3, the United States House of Representatives voted Kevin McCarthy out of his position as Speaker of the House.
With unrest, disagreement, and the government breaking down, this is just another event in the political saga leading up to the upcoming election year.
First, it is important to understand the controversy surrounding McCarthy’s election to his former position.
It was difficult to get McCarthy voted into his position in the first place, requiring an astonishing fifteen ballots as opposed to the typical single ballot.
“What made it so difficult was the fact that Republicans only had a very small majority,” said Professor Frank Orlando, a political science professor at Saint Leo University.
While the ousting was sudden, it was not exactly an unforeseen event.
Fast forward to the present day, the United States government is on the verge of yet another shutdown and is extremely concerned about the spending bill and national debt.
“Some Republicans in particular are very concerned that we’re [the U.S.] in $33 trillion of debt,” remarked Orlando.
Tensions were high, and McCarthy was trying to make deals with Democrats.
This is how McCarthy was voted out of office by the members of his very own party.
U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz led the charge of this operation. Gaetz, a Republican focused on matters of national security and military affairs, felt betrayed after McCarthy’s collaboration with the Democratic members of Congress.
As Speaker of the House, a position McCarthy worked his whole life for, it was essential that McCarthy heard and worked with all sides of both parties.
“Part of your job [as speaker] is a balancing act in how to keep everyone in your group happy,” said Orlando.
Historically, the U.S. tends to be known for its ability to keep that balance even. However, that balance is slowly getting chipped away.
With a government shutdown looming and the House of Representatives in limbo, the country is facing uncertainty.
“Part of the United States’ strength is in its stability. When people think about the U.S., why are we allowed to go $33 trillion in debt? Because everybody knows we will pay the interest,” said Orlando.
These next few days will bring uncertainty and doubt within the government. With unclear leadership in Congress, a looming government shutdown, and this sense of vulnerability, America is not living up to its precedent of security the world knows it for.
