'The sooner we can sort of dispense with the notion that Kevin [McCarthy] is going to be speaker, then we can get to the important work,' says RepMattGaetz
The close ally of former President Donald Trump rejected the possibility of McCarthy's ascension ahead of an internal GOP conference meeting in which members heard pitches from leadership contenders in the caucus."I'm not voting for Kevin McCarthy. I'm not voting for him tomorrow. I'm not voting for him on the floor. And I am certain that there is a critical mass of people who hold my precise view.
— Ron Filipkowski 🇺🇦 November 14, 2022 Republicans are slated to hold a vote on House leadership Tuesday, with the Senate GOP following suit Wednesday. McCarthy is vying for the nomination to be speaker. If successful, he will then have to win a floor vote with at least 218 votes by the new Congress early next year. Republicans are projected to win 219 House seats, per NBC News, with some races still outstanding nearly a week after the midterm elections.
Gaetz previously dangled the prospect of former President Donald Trump being voted speaker, but Trump has ruled out such a move and has since backed McCarthy. One does not have to be a member of Congress to rise to the speakership. Rep. Jamie Raskin suggested this weekend that some Republicans could vote for Trump to spite McCarthy.
"There are definitely at least five people, actually a lot more than that, who would rather be waterboarded by Liz Cheney than vote for Kevin McCarthy for speaker of the House," Gaetz said about McCarthy.Gaetz had worked the phones to some of his fellow Republicans, lobbying against McCarthy. During his appearance on the Charlie Kirk Show, he backed Rep. Jim Jordan for the role, hailing him as the"hardest-working, most ethical, most talented member of the House.
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