Republicans Revolt on House Floor, Deal Speaker Kevin McCarthy Historic Humiliation

By
Gary Fenster
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Several House Republican members of the Freedom Caucus revolted and dealt Speaker Kevin McCarthy a historic humiliation over McCarthy’s deal with the Biden White House on raising the debt ceiling last month.

Twelve Republicans voted with the Democrats to defeat the GOP’s attempt to bring four bills, related to gas stoves and regulatory reform, to the House floor. This is the first time a House rule vote has been defeated since November 2002.

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) said: “Today, we took down the rule because we’re frustrated at the way this place is operating. We took a stand in January to end the era of the imperial speakership. 

“We’re concerned that the fundamental commitments that allowed Kevin McCarthy to assume the speakership have been violated as a consequence of the debt limit deal.

Chip Roy said:

“We warned them not to cut that deal without coming down and sit down and talk to us. 

“So this is all about restoring a process that will fundamentally change things back to what was working.”

As to McCarthy’s future as Speaker, Rep. Ken Buck said:

“I think he should be concerned.

“I’m not suggesting the votes are there to remove the speaker, but the speaker promised that we would operate at 2022 appropriations levels when he got the support to be the speaker. 

He’s now changed that to 2023 levels plus one percent.”

The lawmakers who joined Gaetz included Reps. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), Dan Bishop (R-N.C.),

Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), Ken Buck (R-Colo.), Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), Eli Crane (R-Ariz.),

Bob Good (R-Va.), Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.), and Chip Roy (R-Texas).

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