In a move never before seen in the annals of the US House of Representatives, a Republican congressman filed a motion late on Tuesday to oust the head of the body, Speaker John Boehner, a fellow Republican from Ohio.
North Carolina Rep. Mark Meadows filed a "motion to vacate the chair" as he accused Boehner of seeking to consolidate "power and centralise decision-making, bypassing the majority of the 435 Members of Congress and the people they represent."
Pundits said Meadows shows dissatisfaction in the Republican Party ahead of the 2016 presidential election.
In his resolution, Meadows said Boehner "has, through inaction, caused the power of Congress to atrophy, thereby making Congress subservient to the Executive and Judicial branches, diminishing the voice of the American people."
He said Boehner uses his power "to punish Members who vote according to their conscience instead of the will of the Speaker."
Meadows said Boehner has caused the power of Congress to atrophy, "thereby making Congress subservient to the Executive and Judicial branches, diminishing the voice of the American People."
Last month, the House leadership forced Meadows to quit his subcommittee chairmanship over his votes but later gave the post back to him after some conservative lawmakers objected.
The apparent rift in the Republican Party could find members of the rival Democratic Party in a tough and unusual dilemma. They could either support Boehner, with whom they have frequently clashed with, to maintain status quo in the House or back Republicans in their effort to get rid of him, taking advantage of the resulting pandemonium to push through their own agenda.
Some Republicans told Fox News that President Barack Obama could ultimately be the beneficiary of the ongoing feud among them in the House since it would take attention away from two controversial issues—the Iranian nuclear deal and the Planned Parenthood videos showing the "harvesting" of foetal body parts for monetary consideration.
Boehner's allies criticised Meadows for shaking up the conservative camp. "People are stunned. People are angry that somebody would pull this stunt," said Republican Rep. Greg Walden from Oregon.
However, Meadows told Fox News that it was not his intention to distract lawmakers' from the more important issues in the House.
"I don't like being in the limelight," Meadows said. "It is fearful when you have to do this. You have to work up courage."
Republican Rep. Walter Jones from North Carolina supported Meadows, saying the GOP leadership is "not listening to the American people." Jones criticised the House leadership for disallowing quick votes against same-sex marriage and federal funding for Planned Parenthood.
