The U.S. House held yet another vote on Friday night, after a deal had reportedly been worked out between Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and the group who had been holding out. This time, there were some flips including Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) voting present, lowering the number that McCarthy would need to win.
But in the end, it still wasn’t enough for McCarthy. It came down to Gaetz being the last vote needed, after others holding out voted for other people. Gaetz missed the first vote, but then when he voted for the second call, he just voted “present.”
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) votes present on the 14th ballot for House Speaker, just denying Kevin McCarthy the gavel. pic.twitter.com/zpN6j4eo1p
— The Recount (@therecount) January 7, 2023
A lot of Republicans applauded that, but the math still didn’t add up for McCarthy.
McCarthy went over to lobby Gaetz. At least one McCarthy supporter, Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL), appeared to want to get up close and personal with Gaetz; some described it as a lunge. You can be the judge. But someone then tried to physically restrain Rogers.
If only the C-SPAN camera stayed for this Mike Rogers video a beat longer… pic.twitter.com/ACXGf0TplG
— Brittany Prime (@BLPrime) January 7, 2023
Wild scene as Rep. Mike Rogers has to be physically restrained by another member while going after Gaetz as McCarthy tries to secure final votes pic.twitter.com/c0u2lZxgYr
— Cabot Phillips (@cabot_phillips) January 7, 2023
This is getting crazy.
When the House votes to adjourn Friday night, it’s expected to stay in recess until Monday.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member