Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz has reintroduced an amendment in the House Judiciary Committee to allow for the Pledge of Allegiance to be recited before every meeting of the committee, and Progressive Democratic Ranking member Rep. Jerry Nadler opposed the measure.
In an open hearing on Wednesday, Rep. Gaetz made his case for why the Pledge of Allegiance should be recited, calling the long-standing pledge “ a sign of pride and unity.”
“Our Pledge of Allegiance is a sign of pride and unity and it was a great honor to be able to invite one of my constituents this morning to offer the Pledge of Allegiance. And so my amendment gives the committee the opportunity to begin each of its meetings with the Pledge of Allegiance it gives our members the ability to invite inspirational constituents to be able to share and lead in the Pledge of Allegiance,” said Rep. Gaetz, who reminded the committee that the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives rejected his amendment two years ago.
House Democrats at the time mocked Rep. Gaetz for introducing the amendment.
Rep. Nadler, who was against the same measure in 2021, questioned why Gaetz and others feel the need to have to prove their patriotism.
“I would oppose it simply on the ground, uh, as members know we pledge allegiance every day on the floor. I don't know why we have we should pledge allegiance twice in the same day to show how patriotic we are,” questioned Rep. Nadler.
Gaetz’s fellow Floridian, Rep. Byron Donalds, invoked former President Ronald Reagan and asserted that the Pledge be recited.
“Ronald Reagan once said that if we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under. I applaud my Republican colleagues for supporting our nation and the brave men and women who served in our armed forces. Say the pledge of allegiance,” said Rep. Byron.
Reps. Gaetz and Donalds will be leading the House Republican effort of investigating the Biden Administration in the coming weeks and months.
Ronald Reagan once said that if we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.
I applaud my Republican colleagues for supporting our nation and the brave men and women who served in our armed forces.
Say the pledge of allegiance. https://t.co/jTUwFy9Pj9
— Byron Donalds (@ByronDonalds) February 1, 2023
