Amid House speaker vacancy, many in GOP want to do away with motion to vacate

Rep. Patrick McHenry, a Republican from North Carolina, was quickly named as speaker pro tempore of the House on Tuesday after McCarthy was voted out.

What does that title mean? It's quite simply somebody designated to preside over the House when the speaker is unable to do so.

After September 11, the House adopted a new rule making it possible to have a speaker pro tempore even if the speaker of the House is unable to name one -- or the speakership suddenly becomes vacant.

The rule was adopted as a measure to ensure "continuity of government" -- so that Congress would not be paralyzed after a terrorist attack. A speaker pro tempore has the power to lead, to pass emergency measures and even a declaration of war.

The position is supposed to be temporary, but there is no explicit limit on how temporary or when a new election must be held to elect a permanent speaker.

But, for now anyway, Republicans are operating on the premise that the House can convene and function even without an elected speaker.

One thing driving the temporary nature of this situation: The speaker of the House is in the line of presidential succession; the speaker pro tempore is not.

-ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl

Senate Republicans are overwhelmingly admonishing their House colleagues for allowing McCarthy's speakership to be vacated, calling it a "sad day."

Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said ousting McCarthy was a "disgraceful" move by a small group of House conservatives.

"These insurgents have no plan," Cornyn said. "And now they've created even more chaos and it's not good for the House, it's not good for Republicans," he said.

A visibly miffed Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi agreed: "It stinks, and it's bad for the country."

Republicans are the minority party in the Senate. With a much more favorable map on the horizon in 2024, some now worry the dysfunction in the House will be a distraction for voters.

-ABC News' Allison Pecorin

The White House confirmed late Tuesday afternoon that President Joe Biden saw the developments in the House, but the administration is declining to weigh in on congressional politics.

Instead, aides said Biden is focused on governing and they pointed to the announcement earlier Tuesday on drugmakers agreeing to take part in Medicare negotiations.

-ABC News' Justin Gomez

McCarthy exited the chamber declining to comment after the House voted to remove him.

Several members in GOP leadership are currently meeting inside McCarthy's office. Republicans are slated to gather behind closed doors on Tuesday evening for a conference meeting.

McCarthy shook his head slightly when the presiding officer slammed the gavel after the roll call vote.