The instability of the House of Representatives is on full display, with this week seeing the first-ever ouster of a speaker, which led to the first-ever use of continuity of government rules to install a speaker pro tempore to preside over the institution until the chamber can elect its next speaker. And, if you remember how that went in January, it is uncertain how long that will take. Political Theater podcast host pro tempore Herb Jackson and Roll Call editor-at-large John Bennett walk us through what has happened and what we’ll be watching as the leadership race for a person in the presidential line of succession unfolds in an uncertain time.

Show Notes:

• ‘Type A’ personalities paralyze House after historic McCarthy ouster
• How Patrick McHenry went from partisan ‘attack dog’ to holding the fate of the House in his hands
• Is this the leadership America deserves? Seriously?
• After disappointing election, McCarthy’s reign was rocky from the start
• ‘Mean and petty’: Democrats slam hideaway evictions of Hoyer, Pelosi
• House uncertainty puts shutdown specter right back on the table
• Capitol Ink | It’s a mad, mad, mad, mad House