The Republican Party is currently embroiled in a tense internal conflict, with the position of House Speaker hanging in the balance. The situation reached a boiling point during a recent all-conference meeting that lasted several hours.
Representative Jim Jordan’s bid for the speaker’s role is now teetering on the edge, as disagreements and near-physical altercations disrupt the party’s unity.
The meeting was marked by a near-physical altercation between Representatives Matt Gaetz of Florida and Mike Bost of Illinois. The dispute arose when Bost blamed Gaetz for the ousting of Speaker Kevin McCarthy two weeks prior, an event that has thrown the House into disarray.
Gaetz later reported Bost apologized for his emotional outburst.
🚨 JUST IN: Kevin McCarthy SCREAMED at @MattGaetz to "SIT DOWN" when he grabbed a microphone to speak the the Republican conference this morning, according to Axios
YOU sit down, Kevin. You've been fired.
THE PEOPLE are behind @RepMattGaetz, and we're sure as hell NOT going to… pic.twitter.com/hhzjsHGAhj
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) October 19, 2023
The House has been in a state of paralysis for over two weeks as Republicans scramble to find a candidate who can secure 217 votes. This task has become increasingly difficult due to the deep divisions within the conference.
Gaetz likened the meeting to a Thanksgiving dinner, with Bost playing the role of the emotional uncle. In a surprising turn of events, Gaetz, who initiated the vote to oust McCarthy, found himself at the receiving end of the conference’s ire.
McCarthy reportedly told Gaetz to sit down when he attempted to address his colleagues, a command Gaetz complied with. McCarthy later told reporters he believed the entire country would be screaming at Gaetz at that moment.
Jordan’s bid for the speaker’s role is now hanging by a thread. After the meeting, he stated that he needed to consult with his wife and the approximately 20 Republicans who opposed him before calling a vote for his third attempt at the speaker’s gavel.
Some moderates warned Jordan could lose even more votes in a third ballot.
Fuxk you Kevin.
Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), when asked about reports that he screamed at Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) in a GOP closed-door meeting:
“I think the entire conference screamed at him … The whole country I think would scream at Matt Gaetz right now.” pic.twitter.com/Ftjy9yLRwk
— 🇺🇲Salty Texan (@texan_maga) October 19, 2023
Jordan proposed a resolution to temporarily empower interim Speaker Patrick McHenry to bring up legislation. This move would have allowed McHenry to address issues such as spending bills and support for Israel, thereby reducing the urgency of the speaker’s race.
However, this plan was scrapped when it became clear that it lacked broad support from both Republicans and Democrats.
The Republican Party is now at a crossroads, with its leadership and unity in question. As the party grapples with these internal conflicts, the future of the House Speaker position remains uncertain.
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the direction the party will take and who will emerge as its leader.
