Hours After Gaetz Tries to Oust McCarthy – He’s Stunned by Surprise Republican Move
By Mick Farthing|October 2, 2023
Hours After Gaetz Tries to Oust McCarthy – He’s Stunned by Surprise Republican Move

What’s Happening:

Just hours before an impending government shutdown, the House managed to pass a spending bill. The crisis was perpetuated by hardliners within the Republican Party, who refused to pass a bill without major spending cuts. At the eleventh hour, however, Speaker McCarthy got enough support from Democrats and Republicans to pass a deal.

Despite this victory, there were still some Republicans angry at the Speaker. The man leading the charge is Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Trump ally from Florida. He is mounting a campaign to remove McCarthy from speakership, accusing him of colluding with Democrats.

It’s unclear how much support Gaetz has for his campaign. But Speaker McCarthy has openly confronted the Republican lawmaker. And he is issuing a challenge to Gaetz’s agenda.

From Daily Wire:
“Matt voted against the most conservative ability to protect our border, secure our border. He’s more interested in securing TV interviews than doing something…”

“So be it. Bring it on,” he continued. “Let’s get over with it and let’s start governing. If he’s upset because he tried to push us in a shutdown, and I made sure government didn’t shut down, then let’s have that fight.”

McCarthy accused Rep. Gaetz of trying to shut down the government. He stated that the Republican only wanted “securing TV interviews” rather than helping pass a spending bill. McCarthy even claimed Gaetz’s opposition could have hurt his own district, in which many military staff live. A government shutdown would have resulted in military personnel not getting paid.

The Speaker issued a challenge to Gaetz. He said “Bring it on” in response to threats by Gaetz that he’d try to remove him from the speakership. It is likely McCarthy has more support than the relative newcomer Gaetz. McCarthy has been serving in Congress longer than Gaetz and is probably safe knowing most Republicans will support him.

In fact, some believe Gaetz is only mounting this agenda–to distract from his own problems. Gaetz has faced scrutiny over ethics violations. And some Republicans are taking bold steps to hold him accountable.

From Daily Wire:
Some House Republican members are reportedly preparing to file a motion to expel Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) from Congress pending a forthcoming report from the House Ethics Committee about his alleged behavior.

Gaetz has been accused of misconduct, drug use, and other allegations. He has faced a House Ethics Committee investigation. He has denied any wrongdoing. But his attacks on McCarthy have prompted some Republicans to seek to expel him from Congress.

If he does not back down from his attempts against McCarthy, that might happen.

Key Takeaways:

  • Matt Gaetz is trying to remove Kevin McCarthy from the speakership.
  • McCarthy claims Gaetz is pursuing a “personal vendetta” against him.
  • Some Republicans want to remove Gaetz from office, accusing him of ethics violations.

Source: Daily Wire, Daily Wire

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Mick Farthing
Mick is a freelance writer, cartoonist, and graphic designer. He is a regular contributor for the Patriot Journal.
Mick is a freelance writer, cartoonist, and graphic designer. He is a regular contributor for the Patriot Journal.