Luna Calls on Gallagher to Resign Early for Special Election

House Republicans have a real chance of losing their majority as several members are resigning soon. Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) appeared on Fox Business's Mornings with Maria to discuss, specifically calling on Representative Mike Gallagher (R-WI) to go ahead and resign now for a special election to replace him and also talked about the effects of his leaving.

For additional context, host Maria Bartiromo referred to a previous appearance by Representative Tim Burchett (R-TN), who said the timing of Rep. Gallagher's resignation is "putting us in a horrible position" and hoping it had nothing to do with Speaker Kevin McCarthy's (R-CA) ouster led by Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL).

Rep. Luna agreed with Rep. Burchett, saying "the timing could not be worse," and that "if [Gallagher] waits, that we will not be able to fill that seat. So I would publicly ask for him to do the right thing and step down early."

Similarly, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) argued in favor of expelling Gallagher for the same purpose. However, Rep. Luna disagreed because expulsion would require a 2/3 majority vote, something Democrats would not vote for since they "are hoping that this seat remains open because if it does, it essentially will put us in a bad predicament."

The conversation shifted to the potential departure of additional Republicans from the House, possibly out of frustration with events such as Rep. McCarthy's removal as Speaker, the nomination of former President Donald Trump as the Republican nominee for President in the November election, or simple dysfunction.

Luna agreed these could be potential factors, yet "we are really the only thing standing in between whatever is left in the Biden Administration coming down the pipe to hurt the American people. And so if we lose this majority, if we have people that are doing this simply for self instead of service, then we are in pretty bad shape."

Thus, Bartiromo asked if McCarthy's ouster was worth it since Speaker Johnson was in the same predicament but with a shrinking Republican majority.

"I think that there [were] some preexisting issues that predated my time in Congress that led to what happened with Representative McCarthy," Luna answered, "But what I will say is this: we are elected to represent our district and our people, and what we are finding out is what is happening appears a loyalty to an individual, not necessarily the district, and I think people forget that."

As a result, Luna did not want Rep. Greene's motion to vacate Speaker Johnson to be up for a vote, she called on Johnson to "find his inner MAGA might" and stop what he is doing.