Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) forgave his colleague Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL) on Sunday following a heated exchange that prompted Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) to restrain the Alabama congressman.
“He has my forgiveness and certainly is someone who has done great things for our national defense and will continue to do those great things,” Gaetz said on Fox News Live.
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The congressman was one of the 20 members who held Speaker Kevin McCarthy back from achieving a majority of votes on 14 consecutive ballots to elect the next speaker of the House. McCarthy finally secured enough support on the 15th ballot.
After the heated exchange with Rogers was caught on camera, Gaetz was asked where his relationship stands with his colleague, who is poised to become the next chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.
“Mike Rogers is going to be a terrific chairman of the Armed Services Committee, and we share a deep commitment to our national defense, to our men and women in uniform,” he said.
“Of course, in a late-night moment of high drama, people can have moments of frustration,” he explained.
Gaetz insisted that “Mike Rogers and I have [a] six-year productive working relationship. We are going to work together wonderfully going forward.”
He further said, “I don’t think there should be any punishment or reprisal just because he had an animated moment.”
“@RepMattGaetz and I have a long and productive working relationship, that I am sure will continue. I regret that I briefly lost my temper on the House Floor Friday evening and appreciate Matt’s kind understanding,” Rogers tweeted after receiving Gaetz’s forgiveness.
.@RepMattGaetz and I have a long and productive working relationship, that I am sure will continue. I regret that I briefly lost my temper on the House Floor Friday evening and appreciate Matt’s kind understanding. https://t.co/8GmbJHO3cK
— Mike Rogers (@RepMikeRogersAL) January 8, 2023
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On Monday, the House will vote on a rules package. However, it’s unclear whether the package will pass because some Republicans have declared their opposition to some of the major concessions McCarthy made to his handful of detractors.
