In a fiery rant, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz on Tuesday excoriated his McCarthy-supporting colleagues for being beholden to lobbyists and other special interest groups.
Speaking on the House floor prior to the vote that ousted former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the Florida congressman completely unloaded.
Listen:
“When it comes to how those raised money, I take no lecture on asking patriotic Americans to weigh in and contribute to this fight from those who would grovel and bend knee for the lobbyists and special interests who own our leadership — boo all you want — who have hollowed out this town and borrowed against the future of our future generations,” he said.
“I’ll be happy to fund my political operation through the work of hardworking Americans — $10 and $20 and $30 at a time — and you all keep showing up at the lobbyists’ fundraisers and see how that goes for you,” he added.
The remarks prompted massive praise on social media.
Look:
State the truth, Gaetz.
— Rose (@roseone18552855) October 3, 2023
I don’t like @mattgaetz but this is so damn impressive
— DGAFuDOu (@RYbCooper) October 4, 2023
I agree it is the best speech I can remember in decades. He destroyed all of them. I just donated $100.
— PATRICKHENRY (@PATRICKHENRY97) October 3, 2023
Well this is facts…. everyone in Congress is owned and absolutely doesn’t have the voters best interest.
PS: Both parties suck
— Dagnum P.I. (@Dagnum_PI) October 3, 2023
Overturn “Citizens united “
People want their country back.
They sold us out and Citizens united did it. @RepMattGaetz @mattgaetz
— MrDirt (@MrDirt66) October 3, 2023
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. Edmund Burke for those of you who bood at Matt Gaetz your the problem with this country money flows from DC to the Pentagon, to the contractors and back to you. We know who you are RINO’S.
— PhilipDieteman (@PhilipDieteman) October 3, 2023
Inside the Republican Party, meanwhile, Gaetz is facing continued attacks from the majority of his colleagues over his successful campaign to oust McCarthy.
Indeed, Florida Politics notes that whereas every Florida Democrat voted with Gaetz to remove McCarthy, no other Florida Republican voted with him. Instead, they all released statements essentially bashing him.
“The perpetual chaos in Washington does nothing to secure the border, cut spending, or lower inflation. The American people sent us to Washington to work and we’re doing the opposite now,” Rep. Kat Cammack of Gainesville said.
One of the most brutal statements came from Rep. John Rutherford.
“Today Representative Matt Gaetz (FL-01) led House Democrats and a handful of dissenters in handing the House back to the Far Left. It is a lie to characterize this as anything but a personal vendetta. Rep. Gaetz’s ‘concern’ for the American people is hollow. He claims to support cutting spending and securing our southern border, yet last week voted down a bill to cut nondefense discretionary spending by 30 percent and secure our border. He claims to support the military, yet voted against paying our troops – twice last week,” he said.
“He claims to support passage of single-subject funding bills, yet here we are today living out his personal vendetta against Speaker McCarthy instead of considering two single-subject appropriations bills scheduled to be on the floor. Rep. Gaetz is driving our nation toward the brink of another government shutdown, all for clicks and cash and a boost in his national profile. His disrespect for his colleagues, this institution, and the people we serve is a clear reflection of his lacking fitness to serve in Congress and has made him President Biden’s greatest ally,” he added.
— Rep. John Rutherford (@RepRutherfordFL) October 3, 2023
Notice what Rutherford said about Gaetz “lacking fitness to serve in Congress.” Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich appears to feel similarly. In fact, Gingrich penned a whole column for The Washington Post making that case.
“I served 20 years in the House, including four as speaker. On occasion, I fought against the GOP establishment. I led the fight against President George H.W. Bush’s 1990 tax increase after he had broken his word about ‘no new taxes.’ I felt bound to stay with my commitment to the American voters,” he wrote.
“Unlike Gaetz, though, when I rebelled, I represented the majority view of the caucus at the time. Gaetz’s motion to remove McCarthy should have been swiftly defeated, but it wasn’t; he should still be expelled from the House Republican Conference. House Republicans have far more important things to do than entertain one member’s ego,” he added.
Not surprisingly, Gingrich is now being ratioed on Twitter by Gaetz’s massive army of supporters:
Deep stater is angry. Washed up hack @newtgingrich
— Terrible Print Shop (@PrintTerrible) October 4, 2023
HMPH! A hater of @mattgaetz. Just whose side are you on our’s or theirs? Doesn’t matter really. You’re an “enemy of the state”.
— Bᵣₐd Gᵢbbₛ (@realBradGibbs) October 4, 2023
Wonder how many times Newt is going to be publicly, hilariously wrong before he finally goes away (like he should)? And take Karl Rove with ya!
— Dan Rader (@HeavyDelta2) October 4, 2023
On this subject, I disagree with Newt. McCarthy hasn’t been doing his job. If he isn’t, then it’s time for someone who will.
— Marlena G (@MarlenaGThomp) October 4, 2023
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
V. Saxena is a staff writer with a decade of experience as a professional writer, and a lifetime of experience as an avid news junkie. He holds a degree in computer technology from Purdue University. Saxena also contributes to BizPac Review.
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