The first Speaker of the House to be fired in U.S. history is providing a literal teachable moment for Kentucky students. Anne Cizmar is a professor in Eastern Kentucky University’s Department of Government. She said as Tuesday's vote to depose Kevin McCarthy neared, her students were tracking it in real time, and she provided context.
“When you think about the time that John Boehner and Paul Ryan both had and their speaker chips as the two most recent Speakers of the House for the Republican Party, it's not terribly surprising, I guess that McCarthy would go out in this way.”
One of the ironies of McCarthy’s firing is that Republicans who voted to do so had complained about him compromising with Democrats – which is what they did when they joined Democrats in the vote to depose him. Cizmar said she’s troubled by the ever-increasing polarization in Congress and what it means for the future of America.
“I do worry overall, that if we're not able to come together, and come up with some compromises, and demonstrate that to the nation, and keep the government functioning, then where does that leave us as a nation.”
In a statement, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said McCarthy had his sincere thanks for his service to the nation.
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