McCarthy Ignores Threat to Vacate Chair as Clock Begins on 45-Day Funding Measure

Speaker maintains a business-as-usual outlook as Rep. Matt Gaetz once again dangles the threat of a vote, fueling drama in the House.

U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) speaks with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington on Sept. 19, 2023. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is unconcerned a possible motion to vacate the chair being threatened by a member of his own party, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.).

Two days after engineering the passage of a 45-day continuing resolution on Sept. 30 that averted a government shutdown, the Speaker said his focus was on continuing the appropriations process, not on “playing politics.”