WASHINGTON, D.C. – There is breaking news in the nation’s capital: Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) will become the next Speaker of the House, maybe. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) said before the decision was made final that he wanted change in leadership. He also stated that he voted for Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), a member of the freedom caucus.
In the days following the initial election returns, Rep. Gaetz showed a display of disappointment in the Republicans at the top.
McCarthy
McConnell
McDanielMcFailure
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) November 10, 2022
“McCarthy, McConnell, McDaniel, McFailure,” tweeted Gaetz.
Moreover, Rep. Gaetz was asked by The Floridian about how Republicans fared on election night, he said that the GOP overperformed in Florida and New York and underperformed in California and Arizona. He was then asked a follow-up question about whether the Republican performance (or lack thereof) should be attributed to leadership.
“Well, I think we need a fresh start. I think we need new faces. I think we need new leaders. And I think we need a governing coalition in the House and that means that I’m probably not going to get everything I want,” said Gaetz.
However, Gaetz is very optimistic about not only collaborating with the moderates within the party but also reaching across the aisle and possibly getting things done with the Democrats as well.
“I’ve had more productive conversations with moderates in our caucus in the last three or four days than I’ve had in the last three or four years. And I’m actually very optimistic that we’re going to be able to have an agenda that ranges from our most centrist members to our most conservative that will show a better vision for the country,” mentioned Rep. Gaetz. He would also go on to mention his relationship with Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) and how the GOP could possibly work together with moderates such as him.
“Jared Moscowitz is going to represent his district. He’s always been someone I’ve sparred with in the state legislature and someone I’ve worked with in the state legislature and the Congress will probably be no different.”
With the Democrats controlling the White House and the Senate and the Republicans controlling the Supreme Court and the House of Representatives, the U.S. government is split right down the middle. If deadlock is to be avoided, it appears that some reaching across the aisle will be necessary.
