Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) slammed Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) for still running for speaker after not reaching the votes he needs after 11 ballots.
In a speech nominating Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) for speaker ahead of the 12th vote Friday morning, Gaetz said McCarthy’s continued pursuit of the gavel was an “exercise in vanity,” prompting cheers from Democrats. His fiery words also drew an outburst from Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL).
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“They believe Mr. McCarthy has earned the position of speaker of the House because he raised half a billion dollars to get Republicans elected,” Gaetz said, prompting Bost to start yelling amid calls for order.
Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL) got up and screamed at Matt Gaetz as he tore into McCarthy. pic.twitter.com/JBlzvnHPIE
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) January 6, 2023
This is the third time Gaetz has changed his nomination in three votes, having backed Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK) on the 10th ballot and former President Donald Trump on the 11th. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) again nominated Hern, but McCarthy was picking up votes in the 12th round.
Gaetz’s words also got praise from Democrats Thursday night when he called McCarthy a “squatter” for occupying the speaker’s office without having won the position.
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“We also have to restore to the speaker’s office an actual person who ought to be in the speaker’s office, not the squatter who is currently there,” he said. “And if the Architect of the Capitol is listening, I sent a letter because I would like to know what the basis is for letting someone occupy the speaker’s office who comes in second place 10 straight times. Is there, like, some basis in law or rule or precedent for that?”
Gaetz is adamant that he won’t back McCarthy even as negotiations progress.
