Matt Gaetz: ‘Absolutely’ worth being kicked out of Congress over McCarthy ouster

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz addressed the potential he will be kicked out of Congress by his colleagues over his spearheading of a motion to vacate California Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s speakership last week.

Gaetz and some Republicans joined Democrats in ousting McCarthy.

“How concerned are you about that, that you may lose your job over this?” Gaetz was asked on NBC News’ Meet the Press.

“The voters of Florida’s first congressional district sent me here with about 70% of the vote,” he said. “I think that anyone trying to kick me out of Congress because they didn’t like me – would have a bone to pick with them [the voters].”

The NBC host asked Gaetz if it would be “worth it” to lose his job over the vote.

“Absolutely,” he replied. “I am here to fight for my constituents, and I am here to ensure that America is not on a path to financial ruin.”

“But think about what we’re saying: I’m the guy saying we need a budget, that we need to follow the budget Control Act of 1974,” he said. “And because merely I wanted to hold Kevin McCarthy to his own word that he would follow the law?”

To replace McCarthy, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., and Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, have both announced speakership bids.

“The yellow brick road of working with Democrats was paved by Kevin McCarthy,” Gaetz said last week. “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.”

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

According to the House Clerk, the House will reconvene Tuesday morning.