Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida wants those worried about the Speaker’s seat being vacant to calm down.
The Florida Republican, who spearheaded the drive by conservatives to unseat California Representative Kevin McCarthy, the speaker, said on CNN on Saturday that Congressmen are still able to carry out their duties in spite of the temporary speakership.
“I find it a little ridiculous, right? Like, oh no, the world is ending because the House of Representatives isn’t passing ceremonial resolutions this week,” Gaetz told host Michael Smerconish.
“The entire United States Senate was out all week,” he continued. “The House of Representatives takes seven weeks off every single year for essentially a summer vacation. There are days when all we vote on are procedural votes and post offices.”.
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Gaetz went on to brush off any worries that other nations were dismayed by the series of events that had engulfed the House in recent weeks.
“I think that the chaos narrative is a bit overplayed, particularly in the Beltway, because the lobbyists and the special interests want someone in the speakership that they totally control. They had that in Kevin McCarthy,” he said.
“Just because lobbyists and special interests have been disempowered by the motion to vacate doesn’t mean it was the wrong decision,” he continued. “And it doesn’t mean that we’re in chaos because there were ten days when the lights were off on the House floor. We have not put our pencils down.”
Gaetz added that lawmakers have been closely monitoring the Israel-Hamas war and reviewing intelligence briefings regarding the regional conflict.
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“Don’t believe that just because there isn’t floor action, that somehow all of our representatives aren’t working,” he said. “We in fact, are continuing the work of the Congress.”
Gaetz has already endorsed Rep. Jim Jordan’s candidacy for speaker of the House, but it is still uncertain if the Ohioan can garner the 217 votes required on the House floor to take the speakership.
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