In a viral video Florida representative Matt Gaetz was seen exchanging remarks with New York representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez following a contentious Tuesday House Speaker vote.
Gaetz reportedly told Ocasio-Cortez that McCarthy suggested he could cut deals with Democrats to vote present subsequently lowering the threshold of votes needed to secure Speakership. The New York representative double-checked with Democratic party leadership and assured Geatz a deal wouldn’t happen, the Intercept reported.
“McCarthy was suggesting he could get Dems to walk away to lower his threshold,” the New York representative told the outlet of her conversation with Gaetz. “And I fact checked and said absolutely not.”
Here’s what @MattGaetz and @AOC said in their conspicuous exchange on the House floor https://t.co/2CX6P9bQLD by @ryangrim
— The Intercept (@theintercept) January 3, 2023
Nineteen Republicans defected from supporting McCarthy during the first two ballots, though the California representative lost another vote from Florida representative Byron Donalds after a third vote was cast.
Donalds, who voted for McCarthy in the first two ballots, joined defecting Republicans and threw support behind Ohio representative Jim Jordan.
On Wednesday, Republican Texas representative Chip Roy, who previously threw support behind Ohio representative Jim Jordan, nominated Donalds for speakership. Donalds secured the detracting 20 votes, though Indiana representative Victoria Spartz also detracted from McCarthy by voting present.
“The reality is Rep. Kevin McCarthy doesn’t have the votes. I committed my support to him publicly and for two votes on the House Floor,” Donalds shared on Twitter following the contentious vote. “218 is the number, and currently, no one is there. Our conference needs to recess and huddle and find someone or work out the next steps, but these continuous votes aren’t working for anyone.”
“When the dust settles, we will have a Republican Speaker, now is the time for our conference to debate and come to a consensus,” Donalds continued. “This will take time, Democracy is messy at times, but we will be ready to govern on behalf of the American people. Debate is healthy.”
Gaetz alleged McCarthy sent a text to a fellow defecting colleague saying the Republican leader was “ready to fund an endless war.”
“McCarthy is losing it,” Gaetz wrote. “I’m assuming this is in *addition* to Ukraine.”
The Florida Representative further criticized former President Donald Trump who reiterated his support for McCarthy Wednesday.
“Supporting McCarthy is the worst Human Resources decision President Trump has ever made. Sad!” said Gaetz.
“This changes neither my view of McCarthy, nor Trump, nor my vote,” Gaetz told Fox News Digital in a statement.
As of Wednesday afternoon, McCarthy has failed to secure Speakership after four consecutive votes. A fifth ballot is scheduled to take place Wednesday.
