Donalds, Gaetz Oppose Empowering Patrick McHenry

The search for House Speaker is heating up as Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan (R) has withdrawn his pursuit. After two votes indicated declining support, Jordan is now throwing his support behind North Carolina Rep. Patrick McHenry (R). However, Florida lawmakers are expressing their dissent regarding a resolution to empower McHenry.

Ahead of Jordan’s withdrawal, Florida Rep. Byron Donalds (R) addressed the media, discussing a resolution to empower the Speaker pro-tempore, which is McHenry.

“I don’t support the resolution even when I first started hearing about it, I didn’t support it,” Donalds told the media. “And that’s not indicative or anything against Patrick. I have the most amount of respect for him,” Donalds added. Calling instead on the house to elect a speaker, Donalds added that the house needs to get over the impasse they’re currently facing, so they can focus on “results.”

However, other lawmakers were much more overt in their disagreement with the resolution.

In speaking to reporters, Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz (R) made it clear that he does not agree with empowering McHenry.

“We need to stay here until we elect a speaker, and if someone can’t get the votes, we need to go on to the next person,” Gaetz expressed.

“Twisting and torturing the Constitution to empower a temporary speaker is having a speaker light that is not constitutionally contemplated, is deeply infirm, and I will do everything possible to stop it,” Gaetz further expressed.

To Gaetz, entertaining the idea is a “constitutional desecration,” and with Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise (R) and Jordan out of the running, the world watches as the house seeks to elect a successor.

Jordan has shared that he supports empowering McHenry as Republicans decide the next speaker.