We all should know by now that Florida Representative Matt Gaetz isn’t afraid of jumping into the fray. That became more than evident when he quite literally called out House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Tuesday – and from the House floor, no less.
It all started when McCarthy took to the floor just moments before to announce that he was formally launching an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden and his corruption.
While all for impeachment, Gaetz wasted very little time standing to his feet and telling McCarthy that this was too little, too late, and that it might end his career.
“On this very floor in January, the whole world witnessed a historic contest for House Speaker. I rise today to serve notice. Mr. Speaker, you are out of compliance with the agreement that allowed you to assume this role.”
On this very floor in January, the whole world witnessed a historic contest for House Speaker.
I rise today to serve notice. Mr. Speaker, you are out of compliance with the agreement that allowed you to assume this role. The path forward for the House of Representatives is to… pic.twitter.com/1IFsrmT8KK
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) September 12, 2023
Gaetz explained himself by listing all of McCarthy’s failures thus far. You know, things like getting a vote on term limits, balanced budgets, etc. – all things McCarthy had promised to do for House Republicans. The Florida lawmaker also noted things like McCarthy’s failure to release January 6 tapes, cut spending, or even subpoena Hunter Biden.
Additionally, Gaetz noted that so far, McCarthy has not used the power of the purse to do much of anything but “underwriting Biden’s debt,” unlike what he promised.
As a result, Republicans are growing tired of nothing being accomplished, especially as yet another congressional session draws to a close. Gaetz is simply voicing that frustration, claiming that McCarthy as House Speaker should have and could have done “better” than the “baby step (launching impeachment inquiries) following weeks of pressure from House conservatives to do more.”
Gaetz ended his speech by noting that all this could very well result in a motion and vote “to vacate,” as in to remove McCarthy from his seat of power. And while some of the votes Gaetz wants to see take place might fail, it’s likely that a “motion to vacate” will not.
