declares the house in recess subject to the call of the chair.

>> when you're connected, you're not alone. >> cox supports c-span as a public service along with these other television providers. giving you a front row seat to democracy. >> welcome back to c-span's live coverage of the u.s. house of representatives where moments ago history unfolded again. the house voted 216-210 to remove congressman kevin mccarthy as speaker of the house. there were eight democrats that -- eight republicans that joined all the democrats in voting to oust kevin mccarthy from this top leadership position. we want to get your thoughts this afternoon on what unfolded here in the nation's capitol. here's how we've divided the

lines. republicans, 202-748-8920. democrats, 202-748-8921. and others, all oarks 202-748-8922. you can also text us, first name, city, and state, include that information, at 202-748-8903. you can also join us at facebook.com/c-span. we'll get to your thoughts in a minute. start dialing in. after one hour of debate the house has voted for the first time in more than a century to oust the speaker of the u.s. house of representatives. the last time there was such a motion, according to po lit fact, it was a century ago when then-speaker joseph cannon of illinois, called the vote as dare to his opponent and survived it. manu raju of cnn noting this is

the first time in 113 years. the house voting to oust the speaker but for the first time in u.s. history the speaker is set to lose the vote. indeed that is what happened this afternoon. some other tweets from capitol hill, there were, as we said, eight republicans. who voted for removing kevin mccarthy from the leadership position. lauren boebert who has been a critic of mccarthy from back since january when there were 15 rounds for his speakership and she was in the well of the house. critical of kevin mccarthy then. you might have heard her when her name was called this afternoon. she voted no for now on removing mccarthy. that was scott wong's tweet. frank thorpe who has been covering capitol hill for nbc caught up with her walking off the hill in the motion to vacate.

i asked, did you say no for now? she said, yeah. i said, that means? she said i don't know what's next. we'll see. let's go to austin in texas, a republican, austin did you watch this afternoon? what do you make of this? caller: yes, i actually did watch. and i i support congressman gaetz. it's a very simple proposition. there was a deal made in january. and that deal was violated here. the only option that these republicans have is to get rid of kevin mccarthy as speaker. it's as simple as that. if you do not follow a deal that was made beforehand, why should you continue to be the speaker? host: who do you think should serve in this post for republicans? caller: i don't know. i think there are a lot of great options. i like house majority leader steve scalise.

i think there are a bunch of other options. ideally, i've heard chip roy come up from a member. but you know, anyone but kevin mccarthy. someone who can live up to the promises that they made to the members of the caucus. host: what do you think about the promises you believe are broken, what are they? caller: so the first one, i believe, was to pass the 12 appropriations bills. now what we saw in the past week was only, i want to say four or five, only a couple of them were passed and that was after a six-month recess, not six-month, a six-week recess that the house of representatives had. now, the entire deal at the beginning was to pass these 12 appropriations bills, compared to a continuing resolution. now, i think the final straw personally was the fact that kevin mccarthy sides with the

democrats to pass a continuing resolution that does nothing to decrease the deficit. at the same time he makes a side deal with the democrats to support ukraine funding when our border has zero funding right now and is completely open. i think it's a disgrace that he is willing to fund ukraine over the border. host: ok. austin echoing the arguments made that you probably heard when watching the debate on c-span. that argument being made by matt gaetz, wh put forth this motion to what they call vacate the speakership. a motion to remove kevin mccarthy from this post. you may have noticed when you were watching today's debate that matt gaetz was over on the democratic side. jake sherman of punchbowl news, gaetz is being forced to speak from the democratic side of the house chamber because allies of kevin mccarthy blocked all the other microphones. that's why he was on that side

of the aisle during that one-hour debate today. olivia beavers who also covers capitol hill, there's a group of house republicans huddled and praying on the house floor. representative ann wagner appears to be crying. we'll see what's next here for kevin mccarthy and for the house republicans. the majority, a -- who control the lower chamber of this congress. of the eight money -- eight republicans who voted to push out kevin mccarthy, they were representatives biggs, bost, burchett, crane, gaetz, good, nancy mace and matt rosendale. those eight voted along with all the democrats to remove kevin mccarthy as speaker. from whittier, california, a republican, you're next.

arjune? is that how you pronounce your name, in whittier, california? we're listen, go ahead. what do you think of what happened today in the house? caller: i think it's incredibly foolish. i think congress is doing this for publicity reasons. if republicans are going to want to win in 2024, we need to show we're the party of unify. with all the chaos and dysfunction going on in the democrat party, it's foolish for the republicans to make such a bold stand like. this i think we need to get our act together. before the general public sees what's going on. host: in the interim, you probably heard patrick mchenry, the congressman from north carolina, republican, will serve as president pro tem until we know what comes next. until there's a speaker vote. to replace kevin mccarthy. it's all up in the air, as you saw, they gaveled out. they are in recess subject to

the call of the chair. congressman mchenry serving in his 10th term, represents the 10th district of north carolina, he's also currently the chair of the financial services committee. liam in fairfax, virginia, an independent. hi, liam. caller: hello. host: hi, liam, we're listening to you. caller: i think that -- hello, can you hear me? host: yes, we can. go ahead. caller: i think that this really harm ours nation as a whole. it basically cripples our government and makes us look like a joke on the world stage especially at a time when we need to show we're a strong nation. i think the congress as a whole needs to really kind of just get it back together and come together and just really, you know, function and do its job really. thing really shows that we're incredibly divided as a country and we need to come together.

host: all right, liam. leonard in virginia, a democratic caller. leonard. caller: yeah, so, i think, it's sad what just happened on our house floor. it's very historic. however, this is the fate of when you endorse the far right politics of our country. this is what happens when you see the arrival of the tea party come and infiltrate your party. now kevin mccarthy has to live with that decision that he made and the deal he is made with those individuals and now our country has to suffer because of it. this is what happens when you embrace that for a right ideology. thank you. host: all right, leonard. we're getting your thoughts this afternoon after one hour of debate and a vote was approved to push out kevin mccarthy as speaker of the house of representatives. there are the lines on your

screen. keep dial nsmg theresa in richmond, virginia a republican are. you a supporter or opponent of kevin mccarthy? caller: well, i'm not necessarily a supporter or a -- or an opponent of a person but a system. and i think that matt gaetz is grandstanding. he's trying to push his political career, they're shaig wants to be governor of florida now. he's been doing a lot of fundraising. but i think that whea -- that what he did today is sad for our country. now he's shut and they knew the democrats would vote 100% together because they don't have any individuality. they can't vote outside of the circle or canceled or afraid. but every single time the democrats will vetoing and matt gaetz made them happy. he took his personal agenda and put it on the floor and acted

like a brat. our country is in a terrible position. we don't have time for grand standing and crying i didn't get my way. he is one man and can't do anything by himself. and everybody needs to remember that. this body is a collective and not one man's ability to do anything on his own. and the thing of it is we look stupid again. the republican party needs to get it together and become cohesive and work on the issues that the american people are concerned about not all this baby stuff in my opinion matt gaetz did a terrible blow to our system. host: you are blaming congressman gaetz. what are you saying about the members that voted with him?

caller: it is a collective body and they scratch each other's back. i'm talking about him because he put it on the floor and stood up and fought for it. he doesn't like kevin mccarthy. they fuss and they fight and always been a power struggle there. i think he brought his personal vendetta to the floor. that's what he did. yes, a few of people and 100% of democrats so they are very happy today because a fellow republican came up on the floor and gave them a birthday cake and he shut us down and nothing will get done and nothing will be passed but a stale mate. i hope he got what he wanted, his face in the news and his opinions out there, look at me. i feel sorry for him. he is acting like a child.

host: everybody will be looking if he tries to run for speaker again. eight no votes would be too much to overcome. once mccarthy is out and he decides not to seek the speakership, the real jockeying will begin. democratic caller. we're listening. caller: here we go again. the base clown show continues. i'm just beyond anything that has happened within the last

year or so. not going to get better. i expect things to get blown out of proportion. i am very saddened and here in florida, we did it again, we kept the clown show going. host: camden, wyoming, democratic caller. caller: this has been a giant clown show and the republicans -- [no audio. caller: you know what has happened here is a real shame. you know, we have a handful of republicans who don't put party first and they don't really care the american people. kevin mccarthy was doing good work. but there are a handful of people who put themselves before

their party and before their country and do these crazy things that are truly against what republicans have been doing this whole time and that is trying to make america great. host: what about the argument from matt gaetz and other republicans who backed this move that say we need regular order, this is about the budget and the appropriation bills and it was only when republicans forced kevin mccarthy that he started to do appropriation bills one by one and then matt gaetz and others argued he made speaker deals on ukraine funding, hornets what do you make of that argument? caller: trying to keep our government open is the most important thing we have to do. keeping the government open means troops get to be paid. and they are the one of the most

important people. matt gaetz wanted the government to shut down. he wanted the government to shut down so he can become governor of florida and all of us republicans are truly out of their mind for what they did and it saddens. this is a sad day in our country. host: eight republicans along with the democrats to remove kevin mccarthy. excellent move. beyond notice. if you don't represent the people who are elected versus the party, your jobs will be in jeopardy. and really foolish to engage in this publicity stunt. could have used this to seek common ground and serve in favor of the country's needs. and cory, democrat from virginia, i think this is foolish. kevin did what he had to do in

order to avoid a shutdown. i'm disappointed in the democratic party. this shows weakness. we are getting your text messages and take your phone calls and posts on facebook. karla in wayne city, illinois, republican. caller: i have been watching this since mccarthy back when he was running and said he would not cross party lines and do what he could for the american people. and past two times c.r.'s made a deal with joe biden and against the party and decided to go for the c.r. and crossed party lines. so, to me, i think it is a good thing that matt gaetz called to vacate the chair because i agree with him. everything should be appropriately and do the bills

one at a time and should never be any c.r., period. host: who should the republicans elect as their speaker if not kevin mccarthy. caller: steve scalise is good. jim jordan, byron donalds. there are several that would be good. i can't seeing. mccarthy did what he did and when they made promises, you know the you write checks that your butt can't cash, that's what happened. host: all the names karla mentioned are in support of kevin mccarthy. our independent line. caller: i'm a true independent and voted for green party and

will vote for cornell west in 2024 is genius. and mccarthy did and gaetz is doing what he needs to do. we need to go back to regular order. our system is broken and we need someone to put us on the right path. people are saying this is overblowing this. and this is the worst day of our government. i think this is politics. i think it is a beautiful move by both men. host: alexander. kayla, colorado. democratic caller. caller: talk about there is a side show going with free standing and wonderful speeches from the republican side. everything they commit to is a nonstarter and i disagree with

mccarthy everything else but he can make a deal and that's how and matt gaetz is not healthy for our government. and i think it is a nonstarter for the people and putting people over party. host: nancy mace, the congresswoman from south carolina was one of the republicans who voted to remove kevin mccarthy as speaker. max cohen caught up with her. if you promise women you are going to help them, you better well do it. and no votes are scheduled on increasing access to birth control and that is why she voted to remove kevin mccarthy. reaction from the senate, a long time capitol hill reporter, senator cornyn reacts. these snorts have no plans and created even more and not good

for the house and not good for the republicans and no clear path forward. senator john cornyn, republican of texas. t.j., tucson, arizona, independent. caller: i will say i'm a former republican and turned independent. but i think 2022 is a clear message and mike lawler and -- [indiscernible]

host: calls himself a true independent. punch bowl news noted that 269 days as speaker, kevin mccarthy was removed from that post on a vote of 216 to 210. jim in arizona, republican. -- excuse me, arkansas. >> i tell what matt gaetz did today is a shot in the arm for the true patriots of the country. he is doing what needs to be done people in washington talk to the people back at home instead of listening to

lobbyists. and people able to do their will. all about the money and spending is out of control. all the people -- out of control. matt gaetz is trying to get order restored and bring back democracy to america. this is a republic and gaetz is trying to restore it. host: who do you think should replace mccarthy as speaker. caller: banks in arizona and chip roy is a good man and good guy up in montana and wonderful patriot. host: matt rosendale.

he is contemplating running for senate. caller: he would do more as speaker of the house. he is wonderful man. host: more of your calls and text us and here from our viewers. this is how strong the speaker nancy pelosi was and always prevailed not only in her own position and doing the work of the american people. kevin mccarthy gave his power to win the speakership and went aalong to the maga wing and still lost his job. and rhonda in kansas, i'm an active duty military spouse and i'm concerned.

host: raleigh in lag vegas. democratic caller. caller: i have watched politics since i was five years old and what the house is doing now with all the special interest groups and lobbyists and going on for years, we need to get our house in order, ok? and to get that in order, we have to elect people at the state level that we can trust. people get up there and tell us all the time what we want to

hear and i think the american people are getting sick of it. we have rampant inflation and interest rates and everything else is happening. ukraine, all the money, all the appropriation bills that they are doing and everything, where does it stop? and i agree on matt gaetz and saying about the interest groups and the lobbies. they don't run the united states. we, the people elect people to go up there for us to represent our states on what we want. and if you cannot go up there and represent us, then we need to elect them out and get people in there that will do good for the american people.

caller: matt gaetz sounded democratic today. >> independent, hi, todd. caller: i wanted to just say it appears that looking at this thing through a clear glass.

and other thing going and democrat party that has opened the border. some of these people will become at some point citizens of the united states and being taxpayers like you and i. and the others will go into slavery. i think that slavery going on right now. mexican people working for some of the biggest horse farms in this state. host: todd, a republican, you watched that debate and the vote that removed kevin mccarthy from the leadership post. caller: it's a reminder that the g.o.p. conference needs to set

realistic expectations about what their scope and responsibilities are when they have a slim majority and check and balance on the executive. it is going to be difficult for the party to stay focused unless matt gaetz and the party have a plan who is going to come next. host: you saw ahead of today's vote the democrats were united and not going to vote to save kevin mccarthy from being ousted as speaker. hakeem jeffries put out a statement on the chaos and dysfunction and extremism of the house republican conference. they talked about mccarthy's role. he gave a statement on why they should vote to remove him as well as january 6 and his trip to mar-a-lago after january 6

and what he did on the debt limit deal that he negotiated with president biden back in may. those were some of the reasons that democrats cited why they were not going to vote for keeping kevin mccarthy as speaker of the house. janet, republican from texas. your take on this. caller: everybody needs to stand back and this took a lot of courage for gaetz to come up and he is absolutely correct. and i'm older than most of the people calling in and agree with the gentlemanfrom arkansas and the lady this government is so bloated and we have to do something about it. i don't care what political affiliation your but we are so overspending and every dollar, every taxpayer dollar, it's not the government's money, but our

money. and paying $900 billion a year on interest alone because everything they spend is borrowed. we do not have any money, period. and the fact that anybody could vote for biden or a democrat again that biden has done to this country in two years is beyond the pale. and i give credit to mr. gaetz because i'm sure he is jeopardizing his career. that's what this country used to have is courage and courage to stand up for what is right and right for the american citizens and this country, this wonderful country that people have died for. and i really think that we need to support him. you can call and get and everybody can call, a direct line to the office and you can call and support him and

everyone else or call your own rep and tell them this is what we want done. a separate bill so there is not this pork. and -- host: thanks for that. more reaction from the senate. we caught up with senator republican senator tom till is.

with the other side of the aisle. our country was founded on compromise. you aren't going to get anywhere without compromise. at the same time, it seems idiotic. host: here's the list of the eight reach cans along withhe democrats to push out devin mccarthyrom the top. congressman andy biggs, ken buck and tim burchett, eli crane,

matt gaetz, bob good, nancy mace and matt rosendale. those were the eight g.o.p. members to remove representative kevin mccarthy. democratic caller. caller: i think you do a terrific job and wonderful service. you know, i don't think the republicans are a serious party anymore. it has been a long time coming and what we are seeing right now -- i'm not going to say the takeover from the maga wing because i think that's who the republicans are. they aren't interested in policy but going from chaos to chaos. performance politics. and that's not helping anyone. i have watched other hearings,

jim jordan hearings and biden impeachment hearings, it's performance and ridiculous. and this is the end result of that. it's unfortunate. i'm not sure do they lunch further to the right or find a center, i'm not sure what will happen. but it has been a long time coming and that party needs to take a deep look internally and decide do they want to be for something or just performance. those are my thoughts. host: max cohen ask g.o.p. representative burial son who didn't vote but close to those who did whether mccarthy can survive this. i don't know, it's between him and the eight people. how to work with the people that

are contrarian. independent. caller: when i speak to both sides republicans and democrats, arguments are more heated with my friends and family on the left. the status quo in d.c. is a complete failure. americans are overburdened and exhausted. i don't know what's in gaetz' heart and his intentions, but i'm going to have to take him on his word and hold him to that. i'm a conservative nature by nature and fiscal hawk and i couldn't help but agree with

most of what he said. and i'm quite concerned with those opposed to him on the other side. there is so much sri try ole in and too much me and too much money. what he did, i give him kudos for, he was showing a lot of guts and nerve and had the passion and believed in what he was saying. i believe him and i'm in support of him, and i won't vote for him, but i don't think it's such a bad day considering where we are in the country. everything is just a mess and it's not just this current administration's fault. the debt is crippling us in the grave if we don't do something about it. host: after one hour of debate, the house voted 216-210 toous

the house many of the lawmakers sitting in their seats to give their vote yes or no, some of you may have seen in the corner of your screen during our gavel to gavel coverage, speaker mccarthy sitting in the first row of the well closest to the clerk while this vote was happening. person by person their name was called out and they had to vote on this question of removing kevin mccarthy from the leadership position. now the house is in recess subject to the call of the chair. republicans will meet behind closed doors at 6:30 p.m. eastern time and see what comes next. a lot of questions.

caller: this is getting ridiculous. i served my country and operate a maintenance company and i see these people and crease the suits they don't represent the american people. mike garcia standing up there and instead of arguing for the american worker he is mockerring getting hair transplants and show off to everybody else. kevin mccarthy he promised he was going to get the national debt down and didn't do that. what he did is he decided to go ahead and try to rally the troops around whatever he wanted

to do. and i'm sick and tired of seeing this. i don't know what is going on anymore and quite frankly i'm very upset. host: we look at the capitol here behind us in washington, d.c.. first time in 113 years the house voted on a motion to evict the speaker from his position and for the first time the speaker lost the vote. so representative kevin mccarthy speaker no longer. don bacon tells reporters, he supported expelling matt gaetz after the vote. he said he shouldn't be in our conference. he's not a republican. what is your reaction to that? let's hear from tyler in clarence city, new york, tyler. go ahead.

caller: i think with all of this the government is dysfunctional. we need to be focused on the 45 days. and if everyone keeps bickering, people are going to lose their livelihood. people get their and there won't be nick of income. and both parties are bickering. republicans see and democrats can't support them. it's funding the government and keep bickering. host: tyler noting that the continuing resolution is up in 48 days and then all sides have to go back to the negotiating table and have to come up with a number to fund the government for fiscal year 2024 or pass another continuing resolution.

let's go to melissa in new york, independent. caller: i'm just frustrated. i want a government that functions and i really don't think that the politicians are paying attention to what average americans think but paying attention to lobbyists and they said the squeaky wheel gets the agrees and they are getting the voice and they aren't rational. the democrats are coming off as weak. the republicans are infighting and people are talking about the government keeps spending money, well every year we see reports about government agencies conveniently losing billions of dollars. it's not that biden is spending all this money that we don't have, there are lots of

government agencies that underneath every president we have had have taken advantage of the system and you know and are overspending. speaker election votes are not expected tonight. the republican plan to meet at 6:30 eastern time. your reaction to kevin mccarthy, the congressman losing his speakership this afternoon. mark, republican. caller: it is clear what we all just witnessed. today is a historic day in america because matt gaetz is

the center of power in washington, d.c., for the g.o.p. right now. that's what we saw. host: matt gaetz put forward this motion to vacate and that is what it is called because of the deal that kevin mccarthy that he made with critics back when he was running for speaker in january. that one person would be able to bring a motion to vacate to the floor. caller: he said to bring it, and it was brought. matt gaetz brought it today and when a man can bring it like that, it gets attention. matt gaetz is the vacuum of all the power struggle in all of d.c. today. that's what america just witnessed and everybody is freaking out. but what we saw americans stand up and say enough.

and he bought the establishment because kevin mccarthy is not going to be holding the gavel this evening nor tomorrow. that is a powerful dude. matt gaetz is one powerful dude.

>> illinois, independent. great to hear from you. caller: i am related to. [indiscernible] and he's not trustworthy, they got us to vote for him and he ain't helped -- so like matt, he

said -- getting on -- [indiscernible] host: fox news that has covered, g.o.p. north carolina mchenry is spore pro tempore of the house but not in line to the presidency because he is not the speaker. he is acting speaker. so the speaker is in the line of

succession. democratic caller. caller: today is unique. i don't understand how anyone can watch this unfold and republican party to be serious. they have no agenda beyond the culture war and more importantly and no ability to form a coalition with anyone outside the most extreme wing of their party. and at least they are providing some political entertainment for people who like watch the drama and the discussions. it would be nice to have a functioning government for even for a few years. and previous caller that matt gaetz filled the power vacuum. any adult see him a child

throwing a fit because he didn't get what he wanted. that's all i have to say. host: let's listen to nancy mace, one of the eight republicans who voted to push out kevin mccarthy and talking to reporters outside of the capitol on the east steps after the vote. >> i have been fighting for women's rights before i came here. when roe v.wade. and he hasn't helped women in this country and i come from south carolina and you shake my hand and make a promise, there are consequences to those actions and a woman who has been fighting on this issue that we are going to give women greater access and don't have time to do it or as a survivor of rape and

i worked all year that hasn't seen the time of day, that is frustrating as a woman in this conference to have that happen. you make a promise, you should keep it and promise women you help, you damn well better do it. i'm angry. as a woman, i'm deeply frustrated and that is a consequence and i want the american people to trust the speaker. when the speaker makes a promise they ought to. the speaker told democrats one thing and republicans another. we aren't going to have fights and disagreements. we are all adults here and have that debate, some sides will win, some sides will lose. not worth misleading people on both sides of the aisle. it is not ideological but having

a leader in our nation who will tell the american people. [indiscernible chatter] ms. mace: well, i mean the house is going to be chaos if this did not happen. i will work for a speaker who will tell the truth to the american people and trustworthy with both parties. we are a deeply divided nation and deeply divided capital right now. and we need people who are going to tell the truth and who the american people can trust. at the end of the day it's about trust. [indiscernible chatter] ms. mace: i'm open to a number of folks up here and figure out who will be the next speaker. but from my perspective as a

woman, i want someone who is going to be honest. if we say we are going to reign in end -- rein and say we are going to have a budget and 12 separate spending bills and that's why we are in the situation. if he were to continue to be speaker and can't be honest with either party. [indiscernible chatter] ms. mace: we'll see what happens next. [indiscernible] >> he called my staff rather than to call me. he has my number and knows how to get a hold of me. i'm looking for a speaker who will be honest.

[indiscernible] >> are you concerned that the leadership crisis and members will be in a difficult race next year? ms. mace: this isn't ideological and not chaos but finding leadership in this country who will be honest and the american people deserve the truth and that's what it should be and trust our leaders. we are in a place today, this whole country is in chaos and we want to be united but we have to have leadership that we can trust. host: congresswoman mace just outside the u.s. capitol this afternoon after she voted to push out kevin mccarthy and one of eight republicans that joined all the democrats to remove him from that leadership post, first time this has happened in 113 years. and our coverage here on c-span

continues with your reaction to what you heard and saw this afternoon in the well of the u.s. house of representatives. another moment from this afternoon that is going viral on social media is when patrick mchenry, the g.o.p. congressman from north carolina who is now serving as the replacement speaker gaveled down today's session. take a look.

host: when patrick mchenry the pro tempore speaker of the house of representatives gaveled down this session, they are in recess subject to the call of the chair. house republicans are going to be meeting behind closed doors to discuss what happens next and

on that question, and billy, what do you know, what happens next? >> the house republican conference going in closed door session and all kinds of scenario, kevin mccarthy will announce his candidacy for the speakership and republicans think he can't win. perhaps the session of other candidates arranging from the current number two who is battling health concerns, steve scalise, number three, tom emmer and others, including people you wouldn't think of, who may throw their hats in the ring. a lot of disorientation there within the group. but they have 44 days until

another potential shutdown and don't want the country as unable to address the governing, so there is a sense they will push for a speaker's vote tonight. i have heard some people tonight. i haven't been able to confirm that. i don't think that is probably likely. but this has been a day and week of unlikely things happening. host: who addresses the conference tonight, who leads the meeting? >> patrick mchenry assume the temporary duties, clerical duties but as the temporary leader of the conference and house itself. and he is liked by a lot of factions in the party but not the speaker. but he may be a perfect guy to

run this transition period. host: behind closed doors will these eight republicans who voted against kevin mccarthy, do they go to the conference meeting tonight? >> i'm sure they will. none of them including matt gaetz would ever be considered real speaker candidates themselves but i don't think what we saw on the floor today signifies that they have lost their voice. i believe they have now established that their voices matter and to a great degree. they will be at the meeting and there might be some shouting back and forth. but the conference has got to get back together and come up with somebody and you know, took 15 times last time and don't want to do that again.

host: is there anything kevin mccarthy can offer to these eight republicans? i don't think so. i think he tried to do it and they claim he renighed on so many promises that he barely got elected in january and can't trust him. democrats are saying they couldn't trust him either and renighed on the default bill with the president and democrats and he had a trust problem with a large chunk of his party. it would be one of the great come backs of all time if he could turn around and get elected speaker and if he did, he would be at the beck and call than the matt gaetz's of the world. host: were you in the chamber when the vote was taking place?

>> i was. host: what did you see and hear after the vote was called? >> it was amazing. democrats were calm, some of them jovial. kevin mccarthy got out of his seat and stood in the aisle and his allies and even some allies lined up lined to shake his hand and hug him. there were some tears. this guy going to make a come back as speaker and quick turn around, those people appeared to have written him off already. but it was an eerie quiet chamber and people were trying to absorb that. host: how does the house function right now?

>> 6:30, they will move to a speaker's vote or will patrick mchenry be a caretaker as they continue to negotiate issues like the remaining appropriations bills and deadline, keep government funding that now is 44 days away and there are other issues. trying to at least appear that enthe majority can still govern. that would indicate to me they are going to do to have a speaker election right away and unify around somebody. host: thank you for your time this afternoon. that does it for our conversation. we will be back tomorrow mocker company a.m. and tune into ""washington journal" and history made today in the u.s. house. we will bring you back to this