After Kevin McCarthy's ousting, who might replace him as US House Speaker?
ReutersThe US House of Representatives is looking for its next Speaker after Republican Kevin McCarthy was ousted in a right-wing revolt from within his own party.
Two leading contenders have emerged but, with Republicans in tumult, it is not clear who will take up the gavel, or when.
Republicans control the lower chamber of Congress with a very narrow majority.
So when eight rebels joined the Democrats last week, McCarthy's fate was sealed in a 216-210 vote. It was the first time a House Speaker, one of the top jobs in US politics, has been removed in this way.
Why was Kevin McCarthy removed?
The rebellion was led by Florida congressman Matt Gaetz after Mr McCarthy relied on Democratic votes to get a short-term spending deal passed and narrowly averted a government shutdown.
Mr Gaetz accused him of making a "secret side deal" that weekend with President Biden on Ukraine aid.
But really this was the final act in a bitter saga that has been simmering all year between the Speaker and a right-wing faction in his party.
Those lawmakers tried to block his election to the post in January, saying he could not be trusted to enact conservative priorities.
In their view, he proved that by striking a deal with Democrats in June to raise the debt ceiling without deep spending cuts.
Now they are the ones being accused of treachery - some Republicans are openly talking about expelling Mr Gaetz.
No Democrat voted to save Mr McCarthy, with the party saying he had broken promises to them, as well.
How is McCarthy being replaced?
On a temporary basis, Patrick McHenry of North Carolina - a close ally of Mr McCarthy - was appointed as the interim Speaker.
He does not have the power to run the chamber but "may exercise such authorities of the office of speaker as may be necessary and appropriate pending the election of a Speaker", according to House rules.
That would appear to rule out bringing legislation to the floor.
In the coming days, Republicans will debate among themselves who should become the full-time Speaker.
There will be a candidate forum on Tuesday, followed by a possible vote on Wednesday or Thursday.
In January, it took Mr McCarthy 15 votes over four days to finally be elected.
Given the bad blood over his removal, and the unresolved disputes between moderate Republicans and the party's right-wingers, whoever takes over will face a steep challenge of uniting warring factions.
Who could replace McCarthy as Speaker?
Two top names have emerged: Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan.
Mr Scalise, from Louisiana, is Mr McCarthy's former deputy.
Mr Jordan of Ohio is a conservative rebel turned party insider.
A third man, Kevin Hern, has stepped aside after initially indicating interest.
Former President Donald Trump has stoked speculation that he would take up the job on a short-term basis if Republicans needed more time to decide - though the party's own leadership regulations technically bar him from doing so.
Mr McCarthy had initially ruled out running again, but has since said he will do "whatever the conference wants".
Why does it matter?
The Speaker runs the chamber and is second in line for the presidency. For nearly a week there has been a vacuum at the top of US government that could persist if Republicans do not decide soon.
There are also important issues the House needs to address in the coming weeks - agreeing an annual budget to avoid a shutdown, deciding on aid to Ukraine and how to proceed with the impeachment inquiry of Joe Biden. With Israel now at war after a shock attack by Hamas, the House could also need to approve an aid package for the major US ally.
A deeper, more long-lasting consequence is a reputational one.
Polling suggests that confidence in government has been falling among Americans for some time.
This chaos may harden that feeling further and add to a sense that the US political system just isn't working.