Gaetz the standalone Florida Republican who voted to oust McCarthy, colleagues respond

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., led the motion to vacate Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., from the House speakership as the standalone Republican member of the Florida congressional delegation Tuesday.

“We need a new Speaker who believes in robust oversight, will send the subpoenas, and get the job done,” Gaetz said Tuesday night.

Gaetz joined Reps. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., Ken Buck, R-Colo., Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., Bob Good, R-Va., Nancy Mace, R-S.C. and Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., in voting with 208 Democrats to remove McCarthy from his position.

“The yellow brick road of working with Democrats was paved by Kevin McCarthy,” Gaetz said. “Whether it was the debt-limit deal, whether it was the continuing resolutions, this was a guy who was willing to partner with conservatives on the frivolous, but whenever there was a spending matter, he’d partner with Democrats.”

Rosendale said that McCarthy “violated his promise” to the American people and the House Republican Conference.

“I have kept my promise to the people of Montana by voting to make us energy-dominant again, secure our border, cut spending, and put an end to the social experiment being inflicted on our military,” he said.

Ultimately, the motion to vacate the chair passed 216-210 on Tuesday afternoon.

An attempt to table the vote and not hear any arguments was brought forth, but the resolution failed 218-208.

“Today, 5% of the Republican conference partnered with ALL of the Democrats to oust a Republican speaker… let that sink in,” Rep. Greg Stuebe, R-Fla., said.

Biggs, being one of the “5%,” defended his vote, arguing McCarthy has “failed to demonstrate himself and an effective leader.”

“He has gone against many of the promises he made in January and can no longer be trusted at the helm,” Biggs added.

Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., and Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., initially were against tabling the motion, but later voted to keep McCarthy in power.

Mills explained in a statement that he voted to hear the arguments on both sides since “we owed it to the American people.”

After listening and not being convinced to vote to remove the Speaker, Mills decided to support McCarthy.

“Because of this, we will now likely end up with another CR [continuing resolution],” he said. “Which will continue funding for a weaponized DOJ.”

”Just last week, I voted against McCarthy’s last-minute CR [Continuing Resolution],” Mills added. “Again, my goal is to secure the border and get 12 single subject, appropriations bills passed.”

Mills said that it is now important to find a new speaker in order to start passing more legislation in the near future.

“The House has spoken, and now we need someone to lead a Republican conference, and the house is a home to deliver for the American people,” he finished.