Gaetz Not Cause of Chaos In Congress — Establishment Republicans are in a tizzy over Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-FL1) who orchestrated the removal of Kevin McCarthy (R-CA20) as Speaker of the House, Oct.3.
McCarthy has yet to be replaced.
Establishment types are purportedly working with Democrats to get in Tom Emmer (R-MN6) but eight others have entered for this round including Daniel Meuser (R-PA9).
Anyway, Gaetz is not to blame for the turmoil. He was just pointing out a disease that exists whether it’s pointed out or not.
Joe Pags Pagliarulo summed the issue up nicely on X, Oct. 21:
Tell me exactly what you think Matt Gaetz did wrong. Let’s stop the posturing and BS.
It took 15 votes and a lot of negotiating to get the Speaker’s gavel in McCarthy’s hand in January. He made promises and concessions and was told he’d be held to them. First, what he did well:
He masterfully dealt with the media. They’d ask loaded questions and he’d go right at them with truth and facts. Several times, he held them to account and did so very well. In fact, I think some became gun shy. He was especially strong in defending the House investigating alleged corruption by the Bidens.
He’s also done a good job raising money. Some say he’s been great — but, I’d argue the Rs should have a much larger majority in the House. So, I’ll say a good job. And…
He talks one helluva good game. He was gonna do a ton.
- Defund the 87,000 IRS agents
- Close the border
- Put a low cap on the debt ceiling
- Pass a sensible, cost-cutting budget
Those who support him say he’s done all of that. And he hasn’t. Getting it to the floor and passing it doesn’t get it done. And, he knows that. When you have the majority and you get legislation done in the House that has to do with money — YOU HAVE THE LEVERAGE. It’s an empty victory when you say you defunded the 87,000 IRS agents who are NOT defunded, or the border isn’t closed or the debt has NO ceiling etc.
As Speaker, you have the leverage to say — “You want more money to Ukraine? The 87k have to go. You want more money for Ukraine or to send to Palestine? The border must be closed now. You want more money for your pet “green” agenda? The debt ceiling is 1.5T and not a penny more. You want more money for trees in ‘underserved neighborhoods?’ Then you accept this percentage less in spending over the next FY.” Period.
Where exactly did McCarthy use that leverage to force Schumer’s or Biden’s hand? Show me where he did that. He literally holds our tax dollars in his hands and gets to decide how they’re used.
Everyone in this country knew there was a one vote to debate on vacating the seat. He certainly knew it, fact is, it could have happened before it did. When Kevin McCarthy said he was going to offer 1.5T in a debt ceiling increase most conservatives thought — that’s way too much. But, get it done and make sure spending cuts are in the next budget. He went and met with Biden’s team and literally gave them NO debt limit until March of 2025. Yes, AFTER the next presidential election. He could have been vacated right then. But, they were patient.
Then, he adjourns the House before sending any budget to the Senate giving the other body the opportunity to push a CR and act like they were fighting to keep the government open and if it closed, it would be on the House. What a ridiculous mistake. Think about it. All the Speaker had to do was put a budget together that took spending to pre-CVD and cut it by a percentage more and put it in Schumer’s lap. Then adjourn. This way, the pressure is on the Senate to agree, alter and re-present or turn it down. Then, any government shutdown would be on them. This was such a bad move that in reality handed Schumer and the Ds in the Senate the upper hand.
What Matt Gaetz did had nothing to do with him self-aggrandizing nor improving his standing somehow in the House. It actually served to hurt him with the uniparty but he did it anyway because it was the right thing to do. Kudos to the other reps who joined him in vacating McCarthy. Word I get from the Capitol is there were many more than 8 on board, but couldn’t do it for political reasons and they knew the Ds were not going to support McCarthy.
So, time to move forward. Jim Jordan should have easily won the gavel. NOT ONE R rep made a good case against him. Now, Byron Donalds has thrown his hat in the ring. He’s a money guy by trade and a great conservative. What could the issue be now? Take the vote, give him the gavel, and get to work.
This make sense to you? Let me know.
Gaetz Not Cause of Chaos In Congress