GOP Congressman Threatens to RESIGN if GOP Compromises with Dems on Speaker
As of this writing, we are in the middle of the fourth day of trying to get Kevin McCarthy appointed as the Speaker of the House.
This is ballot #12, (or maybe #13 at this point), with only a slight change to the algebra over the course of the week.
The stalemate has thrust a few rather bizarre suggestions out into the ether as well, with some now suggesting that the Democrats and the Republicans could come together to find a middle-ground, moderate compromise.
This is something that Matt Gaetz simply cannot abide by.
Thursday on FNC’s “The Ingraham Angle,” Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), one of the 20 Republican holdouts not supporting Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s (R-CA) bid for Speaker of the House, said a coalition of Republicans and Democrats electing a moderate Republican was not a concern.
“Are you going to be OK, congressman – would you be OK if there’s a deal struck with moderate Democrats that give Democrats co-control of the committees?” Ingraham asked. “You’re fine with that?”
That’s when Gaetz dropped the hammer.
“Absolutely not,” Gaetz replied. “That will not happen. There’s two potential scenarios here. I’m on the floor. These 212 Democrats are going to vote for Hakeem Jeffries every single time. He’s a historic candidate. They’re not going to cleave off. If Democrats join up to elect a moderate Republican, I will resign.”
If the contentious battle for the speakership continues much longer, Gaetz may find himself trying to walk this comment back.