Rep. Matt Gaetz, responsible for the motion that led to the removal of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, commented to Newsmax on Wednesday that there’s a significant pool of potential replacements within the GOP conference in the chamber. If the final contenders end up being Rep. Jim Jordan and Rep. Steve Scalise, either would be a notable improvement over McCarthy, in his opinion.
Gaetz further expressed to Newsmax’s “Newsline” that if individuals, even from his party, aim to counter his moves, they should “wait their turn.”
“There’s no shortage of potential speakers within our conference,” the Florida representative remarked, indicating he didn’t have a specific preference. “I had backed Jim Jordan earlier this year. He’s undoubtedly someone I’d support. Similarly, I hold Steve Scalise in high regard and would vote for him too.”
Gaetz expects multiple skilled individuals to emerge for the speaker role. Nonetheless, according to him, the emphasis should be on appointing a “trustworthy new speaker committed to financial discipline.” He elaborated on the importance of reverting to pre-COVID spending levels, considering the nation’s substantial debt and annual deficits.
However, Gaetz pointed out what he perceives as a consensus in Washington: that McCarthy often wasn’t truthful. This consensus, Gaetz believes, includes not just discrepancies with their party but potential double-dealings with Democrats as well.
Discussing a recent spending bill, Gaetz criticized its short-term nature and the continuation resolution combining multiple governmental agencies into a single vote. He preferred separate spending bills, a promise he says McCarthy didn’t fulfill.
Addressing McCarthy’s claims that Gaetz’s move was more personal and less about financial concerns, Gaetz refuted them as “baseless.” He highlighted that his media presence isn’t self-sought; instead, he gets invited to share his viewpoint, deeming it essential for the public.
Additionally, while McCarthy implied that Gaetz’s vote was a fundraising tactic, Gaetz countered by criticizing McCarthy’s fundraising methods. He argued that the former speaker leans on significant donations from special interests, implying obligations in return.
In contrast, Gaetz emphasized his grassroots approach, raising funds in small amounts directly from voters, which he believes is a superior method.
