California Republican Kevin McCarthy still needs to convince 20 GOP lawmakers that he deserves their support as Nancy Pelosi’s replacement as House speaker.
But it seems he’s already measuring the proverbial drapes.
On Tuesday night, Rep. Matt Gaetz, the Florida Republican leading the conservative opposition to McCarthy, asked J. Brett Blanton, the architect of the U.S. Capitol, a simple question:
Why is McCarthy setting up shop in Pelosi’s old office before he’s got the votes?
As the Fort Walton Beach Republican wrote in a letter to Blanton, “The Speaker of the House Office located in the U.S. Capitol Building is currently occupied by Rep. Kevin McCarthy.”
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“As of this morning, the 117th Congress adjourned sine die, and a Speaker from the 118th Congress has not been elected. After three undeciding votes, no member can lay claim to this office.”
“What is the basis in law, House rule, or precedent to allow someone who has placed second in three successive speaker elections to occupy the Speaker of the House Office? How long will he remain there before he is considered a squatter?”
“Please write back promptly as it seems Mr. McCarthy can no longer be considered Speaker-Designate following today’s balloting,” Gaetz concluded.
McCarthy failed to get the job after three votes. He actually came in second to Democratic Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, as 20 GOP lawmakers rejected McCarthy’s bid.
During the voting on Tuesday, Gaetz told reporters that GOP conservatives “would prefer to have a unity of purpose.”
“But,” he added, “we will not continue to allow the uniparty to run this town without a fight.”
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“There’s very little difference between Nancy Pelosi and her California delegation-mate that seeks the gavel,” Gaetz continued. “We want a change because this town is broken, and this is a person, Mr. McCarthy, who has acknowledged that this town is broken, and he has been a part of that process for many years as part of the leadership.”
Besides Gaetz, Florida Republican Reps. Byron Donalds of Naples and Anna Paulina Luna of Clearwater voted against McCarthy.
The rest of the rebels included Reps. Andy Biggs, Dan Bishop, Lauren Boebert, Josh Brecheen, Michael Cloud, Andrew Clyde, Eli Crane, Bob Good, Paul Gosar, Andy Harris, Mary Miller, Ralph Norman, Andy Ogles, Scott Perry, Matt Rosendale, Chip Roy, and Keith Self.
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