Kamlager-Dove Statement on the Motion to Vacate the Chair Vote

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 3, 2023

Media Contact: Maya Valentine | maya.valentine@mail.house.gov

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) issued the following statement after the motion to vacate the chair vote passed in the House: 

“After 15 votes for Speaker, a near default on our debt limit, and a narrowly avoided government shutdown created by House Republicans, Washington has been held hostage by alt-right extremists who have proven that they don’t care about the American people. Today’s vote was the ultimate manifestation of the chaos and dysfunction that has besieged our government since Republicans won the House Majority.

“Time after time McCarthy has proven that he can’t be trusted. Republicans hijacked the National Defense Authorization Act and politicized our military spending, they launched a baseless impeachment inquiry into the President of the United States without a vote on the Floor, and they kicked qualified Democratic Members off committees for no logical reason. The Speaker reneged on a budget compromise made earlier this year between the White House, Senate, and House Democrats as part of a bipartisan agreement to avoid defaulting on our debt. His actions set us on a path toward a disastrous government shutdown, which we narrowly avoided just days ago. Democrats have continued to show their interest in working across the aisle for the sake of the American people while Republicans have only put harmful, inarticulate legislation on the Floor and have allowed the House of Representatives to be controlled by the fringe Freedom Caucus. McCarthy made a deal with the devil. He allowed the minority in his Conference to have all the power with little respect to tradition, process, or our democracy.

“I don’t plan on bailing him out. That is why I voted ‘yes’ to vacate the chair.”

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