Gaetz’s plan to oust McCarthy meets chilly Dem reception
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., wants to remove House speaker Kevin McCarthy (R.-Calif.), for working across party lines to end a government shut down — but some Democrats disagree.
What it means: According to Axios, Gaetz is likely to need the overwhelming majority of Democrats in order to pass his legislation, unless McCarthy leads a revolt among Republicans.
Gaetz, who appeared on CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday, said he would file a motion of vacature against McCarthy in the coming week.
McCarthy said in an interview with CBS News that he would “survive” and called Gaetz’s efforts “personal.”
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What they are saying: “I won’t follow Matt Gaetz into Peter Luger’s Steakhouse,” stated Rep. Steve Cohen, a member the Progressive Caucus from Tennessee.
Cohen said McCarthy should not be “put out” because he brought a bipartisan funding stopgap bill to the floor. “He did what was right… and I will definitely vote against vacating.” I’m sure a number of Democrats would agree.
In a statement Rep. Greg Landsman, (D-Ohio), said that Gaetz “loses his mind every time we work together.” He added: “This is about TV appearances for Gaetz… just allow us to govern.”
One senior House Democrat spoke on condition of anonymity: “I don’t see how Matt can get most Democrats.” Many will vote present, if they do not vote against [House Minority leader Hakeem Jeffries]’s recommendation.
Jeffries, however, has not yet weighed in on the motion for McCarthy to be vacated. Some moderate Democrats, who may have been inclined to save McCarthy, are holding their powder until later.
Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., said: “I will not comment or speculate until the hypothetical is real.” “We’ve seen lots of hats but no cows.”
Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., said “I’m Waiting.”
Jeffries is expected to be followed by many Democrats: “Most of us will do what Hakeem says,” said the senior House Democrat.
One Democrat is likely to vote with Gaetz in order to remove McCarthy. This will be Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., one of the leftist members of Congress.
Ocasio Cortez stated on “State of the Union,” that she would vote “absolutely” for the motion of vacate. She called McCarthy a “very poor speaker” who had “clearly” lost control of the GOP conference.
Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., said that the Speaker had 200 Republicans and possibly more on his side. McCarthy’s ally. “Gaetz is a chaotic person with no alternative or plan.”
Gaetz’s plan has only been endorsed by one Republican: Eli Crane, a right-wing Republican from Arizona.
Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., one of the 20 Republicans who rebelled in January against McCarthy’s election as speaker and voted for him instead said that he had “no comments until I speak with Matt and my Republican caucus directly.”
We’re keeping an eye on: According to Axios, some top Democrats may have discussed the possibility of trying to extract concessions out of McCarthy in exchange for saving him.
McCarthy, however, has rejected the idea that he will seek the votes of Democrats to save his Speakership. Lawmakers from both parties believe that a win by a majority on a motion for vacating could be fatal to him.
Gaetz stated on Sunday that if Kevin McCarthy remains the Speaker of the House next week, then he would be working at the Democrats’ pleasure.
