After Rep. Kevin McCarthy was unexpectedly removed from the office by a surprise vote, Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) assumed the role of Speaker pro tempore of the House. The lawmaker from North Carolina had removed former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) from her Capitol hideout as one of her top priorities. Pelosi was apparently notified by email of the eviction by the new speaker.
For the pivotal vote that resulted in McCarthy’s resignation, Pelosi was out of town. She was in San Francisco, California, for the events paying tribute to the late Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), an 83-year-old House member’s close friend. On October 5, following a day of both public and private viewings, Feinstein was laid to rest.
Pelosi was not mentioned in McHenry’s note to her, and the seasoned congressman was given one day to leave the office. According to USA Today, senators are granted unique rooms known as “hideaways” based on their seniority; many of these rooms are situated adjacent to the Senate floor. Members can do business in these unmarked, occasionally concealed areas that act as auxiliary offices away from the prying eyes of reporters, lobbyists, and aides. Fox News reports that McHenry intends to use Pelosi’s retreat “for speaker office use.”
Pelosi blasted McHenry in a statement for putting her eviction ahead of other crucial House matters, which may have easily been a personal decision. She said that she was unable to retrieve her stuff from the area due to her absence. It was ultimately staff workers of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) who relocated Pelosi’s possessions.
Speaker pro tempore of the House McHenry will hold the position until Republicans select a successor for McCarthy. Although The New York Times notes that Reps. Steve Scalise (LA), Tom Emmer (MN), Patrick McHenry (NC), Elise Stefanik (NY), Jim Jordan (OH), and Tom Cole (OK) are all potential candidates, they have not yet come to an agreement on a candidate.
