Cheney, the daughter of former vice president Dick Cheney, voted in January to impeach Trump on a charge that he incited a riot at the US Capitol on January 6.

In recent days the House No 3 Republican Cheney said the false claims of a stolen election were "poisoning our democratic system" and tweeted that anyone who makes such a claim is "spreading THE BIG LIE".

It was not yet clear when House Republicans will choose a replacement for Cheney in the position of party conference chair, who helps develop Republican positions on legislation and assists rank-and-file members on an array of issues.

Trump and House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy have touted Representative Elise Stefanik as the next conference head.

But she has drawn criticism from some Republicans for a voting record that they portray as being out of step with conservatives.

Cheney's critics said her criticism of Trump's claims about the 2020 election distracted from party messaging about Democrats and US President Joe Biden's agenda.

House Republicans held a secret ballot to oust her from the leadership.

Representative Adam Kinzinger, one of the few House Republicans publicly defending Cheney, said in a tweet, "I believe our open lies are an absolute abdication of our duty, and it is shameful".

Kinzinger was referring to allegations made by Trump and echoed by others in the party that there was widespread voting fraud in the November election in which Biden defeated Trump.

Cheney, who boasts sterling establishment conservative credentials, has run afoul of McCarthy and others in her caucus by repeatedly denouncing Trump's unproven claims about the 2020 election and insisting that the Republican Party be the "party of truth".

In a defiant speech on the House floor on Tuesday night, Cheney again criticised Trump and his allies over the election claims.

"Remaining silent and ignoring the lie emboldens the liar," Cheney said.

"I will not participate in that. I will not sit back and watch in silence, while others lead our party down a path that abandons the rule of law and joins the former president's crusade to undermine our democracy."

Most Republican lawmakers, including McCarthy, have sought to placate Trump, whose claims of election fraud were rejected in multiple courts as well as by state and federal election officials.

"It's clear that we need to make a change," McCarthy told his fellow Republicans in a letter announcing Wednesday's vote.

"These internal conflicts need to be resolved so as to not detract from the efforts of our collective team."

House Republican aides and party strategists said Cheney's ouster could help Republicans in the short term by ensuring the party can count on Trump's supporters at the start of the 2022 congressional election campaign, in which Republicans hope to reclaim majorities in the House and Senate.

"House members are very responsive to their base, and the Republican base continues to love Donald Trump," Republican strategist Alex Conant said.

But the move to oust Cheney could also prove risky for McCarthy and other top Republicans if their embrace of Trump backfires or Stefanik proves to be unpopular as her replacement.

Trump was impeached by the House twice, presided over the Republican loss of the House, the Senate and the White House and has been accused of inciting the January 6 Capitol riot that left five people dead including a police officer.

Australian Associated Press