WASHINGTON, DC: In a dramatic showdown on the House floor, Rep Matt Gaetz, the outspoken Florida Republican, stood his ground against fellow GOP lawmakers during a contentious debate over the future of then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
The Republican infighting escalated to an unusually bitter and personal level before culminating in a historic vote that ultimately ousted McCarthy from his role as Speaker.
Matt Gaetz refuses to back down
Gaetz, undeterred by the boos from his fellow Republicans and being denied the use of his own party's side of the chamber, remained a central figure in the showdown.
When a GOP colleague criticized his alleged fundraising efforts as "disgusting," Gaetz defiantly doubled down, stating that he wouldn't take advice from those who "grovel and bend knee for the lobbyists."
The House floor debate, which lasted for more than an hour, exposed deep divisions within the Republican conference, with members exchanging resentful broadsides and engaging in knife-twisting arguments.
McCarthy allies directed their scorn at disaffected GOP colleagues who led the revolt, with Gaetz as the face of the opposition, standing on the Democratic side of the chamber.
“To be clear, I tried to get one of the three podiums on the Republican side and y’all wouldn’t let me have them,” Gaetz said. “So you sent me over here.”
House Republicans trade barbs
Throughout the debate, Rep Steve Womack of Arkansas, who led the proceedings, repeatedly reminded members to maintain decorum. However, the acrimony persisted as Rep Bruce Westerman, another Arkansas Republican, labeled support for ousting McCarthy as "selfish" and detrimental to conservative policies and America.
Gaetz countered by asserting that there was "nothing selfish about wanting a speaker of the House who tells the truth."
Rep Kelly Armstrong of North Dakota did not name specific anti-McCarthy colleagues but lamented that the incentive structure in the nation's capital was "completely broken."
“We no longer value loyalty, integrity, competence, or collaboration. Instead, we have descended to a place where clicks, TV hits, and the never-ending quest for the most mediocre taste of celebrity drives decisions and encourages juvenile behavior that is so far beneath this esteemed body,” Armstrong said.
One of the most direct attacks during the debate came from conservative Rep Garret Graves, who implied that Gaetz was using the push to oust McCarthy for fundraising purposes. This accusation elicited cries of "shame" from McCarthy's supporters.
“All of a sudden, my phone keeps sending text messages. Text messages saying ‘Hey, give me money,’” Graves said, a forehead vein becoming visible.
“Oh, look at that. Oh, look, ‘Give me money. I filed the motion to vacate.’ Using official actions, official actions to raise money. It’s disgusting. It’s what’s disgusting about Washington.”
Graves argued that Gaetz was using official actions to raise money and criticized those who had brought up the motion to vacate for allegedly refusing to support military service members, Roll Call reported.
Matt Gaetz's unyielding response and social media reactions
In response, Gaetz defended his actions, stating, "I take no lecture on asking patriotic Americans to contribute to this fight from those who would grovel and bend the knee for lobbyists and special interests."
He challenged his Republican colleagues, suggesting that they continue attending lobbyist fundraisers while he relied on grassroots support from everyday Americans.
“Boo all you want,” he said. “I’ll be happy to fund my political operation through the work of hard-working Americans — 10 and 20 and 30 dollars at a time — and you all keep showing up at the lobbyist fundraisers and see how that goes for you.”
Gaetz's fiery speech garnered praise on social media, with many lauding his attitude and energy.
"We need that kind of attitude and energy in a speaker and in every conservative. Very impressive Gaetz," one posted on X.
"Calling them out to their faces," another offered.
"Gaetz has shown himself to possess historically big testicles for saying what needed to be said to the faces of those that needed to hear it and with the world watching. Congratulations," someone else added.
"Gaetz...for speaker!!" another gushed.
