Speaker of the US House Kevin McCarthy was removed. Next, what?

Following the success of a far-right attempt to unseat fellow Republican Kevin McCarthy as speaker, the House of Representatives is now in unknown terrain.

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., proposed a move to vacate, which received support from eight Republicans and all of the Democrats present and voting on Tuesday. McCarthy was ousted by a vote, becoming the first speaker in history to do so, a painful humiliation that occurred after less than nine months on the post.

Shortly later, the California Republican announced to his conference that he would not seek reelection. The shocking decision in the House has left legislators from both parties baffled about what the future may hold.

The House has been recessed until both parties can agree on a course of action, according to Republican Rep. Patrick McHenry, who is currently serving as acting speaker. McCarthy chose not to seek reelection, therefore there is no apparent candidate to take McCarthy’s place as leader of the House Republican majority. Here’s a deeper look at what can transpire following:

WHO RULES THE HOUSE AT THIS TIME?

McHenry, a close supporter of McCarthy’s, was appointed interim speaker or speaker pro tempore just after the vote. The North Carolina Republican was chosen from a list of members on which the speaker must maintain track in case a chair becomes vacant.

When McCarthy was originally elected speaker in January, he sent the House clerk that confidential list. Additionally, while McHenry may hold the interim position forever, he only has such powers that are considered “necessary and appropriate” for the purpose of choosing a speaker, in accordance with the House’s rules.

McHenry won’t be able to introduce or remove legislation from the table. Additionally, he lacks the authority to issue subpoenas or approve any other formal House activity that would need the speaker’s consent.

WHAT ARRIVES SECOND?

The election of a new speaker would be McHenry’s first item of business. Who the House Republicans will propose as their speaker candidate is unknown at this time. Tuesday’s session ended with several lawmakers vowing to keep McCarthy’s nomination alive and support him for speaker up until it is approved. However, now that he has withdrawn, any Republican may enter the race.

Gaetz is one of the lawmakers who has brought up possible consensus candidates like Majority Leader Steve Scalise or Whip Tom Emmer, who they believe can unite the conference. Rep. Kevin Hern, leader of the Republican Study Committee, and Rep. Jim Jordan, chair of the House Judiciary Committee and a favorite of the extreme wing of the party, are two other candidates who have come up for debate.

The House would need to vote as many times as necessary for a candidate to get the support of the majority of those present and voting for speaker once Republicans choose their nominee. As it did in January when it took McCarthy a historic 15 rounds to win the gavel, it can easily become into a taxing exercise.

A SECOND SPEAKER?

The clerk will declare the winner of the election as speaker after that candidate receives a majority of the votes.

A nonpartisan committee, often made up of representatives from the selected candidate’s home state, will then accompany the speaker-elect to the chair on the dais where the oath of office is given during a regular speaker election, which takes place at the beginning of each Congress. Once a speaker is selected, all new members will take the same oath.

It is unknown whether the same procedure will be used in this case. As a sign of possible future cooperation between one party leader and another, it is usual for the minority leader to sit down with the successor at the speaker’s desk and pass the gavel there.