On Thursday, surprisingly, Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) voted for former President Donald Trump as Speaker of the House. In the contentious speakership battle, which is currently in its third day, the vote came during the seventh round of voting.
One of the several Republican holdouts, Gaetz stands - refusing to unite behind Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) as Speaker of the House. This republican impasse initially forced a second vote earlier this week, an occurrence the country has not seen in 100 years. Gaetz, in a Tuesday letter to the Architect of the Capitol, inquiring as to why McCarthy occupied the Speaker’s office, despite not having that position. He asked how long we sit in the position before he is declared a ‘squatter”.
Even throwing her “friend” Gaetz under the bus, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), is among those criticizing her colleagues who are refusing to unite behind McCarthy. She said-
“Let me remind every everyone this Matt Gaetz who has compared Kevin McCarthy to Paul Ryan — my friend Matt Gaetz, he supported Paul Ryan almost more than anyone,” adding… “It’s still on his social media.” And…“As a matter of fact, his first vote in Congress was for Paul Ryan as Speaker and then he cheered him on for nearly a year and a half or more, when people like me were at home furious at Paul Ryan’s speakership because it wasn’t passing the MAGA agenda that we all supported,”
- Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA)
It seems that McCarthy may be making progress behind closed doors with his GOP critics, discussing certain concessions which include: a lower threshold for the “motion to vacate”, Rules Committee seats for Freedom Caucus members, changes to the appropriations process a lower threshold for the “motion to vacate,”, and a vote on term limits. McCarthy said-
“I felt as though we had a very good discussion,” McCarthy said. “I think what you should gauge is, being able to do that [adjournment] vote, is that the discussions are going well and they’re continuing. adding…“That doesn’t mean they’re done or anything like that.”
- Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA)
Gaetz described Trump’s support for McCarthy as “sad” and is reportedly raising money off his opposition of McCarthy. Following Trump’s formal backing of McCarthy, Gaetz apparently made the vote, after Trump made the following statements having initially refusing to take a side on the matter. Trump urged Republicans saying-
“Some really good conversations took place last night,” to “VOTE FOR KEVIN, CLOSE THE DEAL, TAKE THE VICTORY, & WATCH CRAZY NANCY PELOSI FLY BACK HOME TO A VERY BROKEN CALIFORNIA,THE ONLY SPEAKER IN U.S. HISTORY TO HAVE LOST THE ‘HOUSE’ TWICE!”
And… “REPUBLICANS, DO NOT TURN A GREAT TRIUMPH INTO A GIANT & EMBARRASSING DEFEAT. IT’S TIME TO CELEBRATE, YOU DESERVE IT,” concluding that “Kevin McCarthy will do a good job, and maybe even a GREAT JOB – JUST WATCH!”
-Former President Donald Trump
On Wednesday, despite the infighting and a lack of cohesiveness, Trump offered a stroke of optimism, asserting that the Republican Party will be “STRONGER and more UNITED than ever before” after the negotiations are complete.
Regardless of the current uncertainty, as to who will emerge the speaker of the 118th Congress, the tenacity of those who do not want to fail, and are holding out to get concessions from McCarthy, before yielding their vote to him, are to be admired. That they are standing their ground, is what this democratic process is all about.
It would however, be better if, there was a sooner rather than later resolve, as time is being wasted to forge ahead with the objectives as set forth by the Republican party. That this coalition of republicans is holding McCarthy’s feet to the fire is a very positive thing – especially if he wants to keep his post. Apparently, there are some newly elected Representatives who are determined to forge ahead, and will not suffer McCarthy to role on them. when it comes to working with the Democrats in the House.
“A Perfect method for adding drama to life is to wait until the deadline looms large”
-Alice Cornyn Selby