Rep. Matt Gaetz vows to take all necessary measures to prevent the passing of a resolution that aims to grant Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry additional authority, as the House faces difficulties in deciding on the speakership.
The Florida Republican told reporters Thursday that he thinks it’s a “constitutional desecration” not to elect a House speaker.
“I oppose the speaker light, I oppose Bud Light. I firmly believe that not electing a speaker of the House is a violation of the constitution,” he expressed his opinion.
Rep. Jim Jordan, the Republicans’ nominee for the speakership, announced Thursday he would not call for a third vote. The Ohio Republican has lost two votes this week and would need to gain the support of 18 Republicans in order to win the gavel.
He has not completely abandoned his attempt, but instead, he is now advocating for granting Mr. McHenry more authority in the legislature. Mr. McHenry has been serving as the interim speaker following the removal of Rep. Kevin McCarthy earlier this month.
Currently, Mr. McHenry, a Republican from North Carolina, lacks the authority of an elected speaker, resulting in a complete stoppage of all legislation, including any future funding bills.
Mr. Gaetz was the man behind Mr. McCarthy’s ousting, bringing a motion to vacate against him after the California Republican worked with Democrats to keep the government from shutting down.
Now Mr. Gaetz is saying the House needs “to stay here until we elect a speaker, and if someone can’t get the votes, we need to go onto the next person.”
“I cannot reword”
If the Republican conference is unable to unite, Newt Gingrich suggests in a blog post on Tuesday that it might be best to empower Mr. McHenry until the end of the year.
“I cannot reword”
“I cannot reword”
John Boehner, a former Republican Speaker from Ohio, expressed his agreement with Mr. Gingrich’s points on X.
