- Matt Gaetz is accusing Kevin McCarthy of squatting in the speaker’s office.
- Gaetz wrote a letter to the Architect of the Capitol just after McCarthy unsuccessful to get ample Republican votes.
- Gaetz questioned why McCarthy was authorized to occupy the speaker’s business office irrespective of three unsuccessful votes.
Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz is accusing Rep. Kevin McCarthy of squatting in the speaker’s suite, in spite of not obtaining landed the career nonetheless.
“The Speaker of the Home Office environment in the Capitol is presently staying occupied by Kevin McCarthy,” Gaetz tweeted Tuesday night. “Kevin McCarthy is not the Speaker of the House. He shed 3 consecutive votes nowadays. I’m demanding responses from the Architect of the Capitol.”
—Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) January 4, 2023
Gaetz bundled in his tweet a copy of a letter dated January 3, which he despatched from his congressional place of work to J. Brett Blanton, the Architect of the Capitol.
He added in his letter that the position of speaker experienced not been made the decision right after Congress adjourned on Tuesday. This followed three votes exactly where Republicans mutinied versus McCarthy, denying him the votes he needed to secure the speakership.
“What is the foundation in law, Property rule, or precedent to allow for anyone who has placed 2nd in 3 successive speaker elections to occupy the Speaker of the House Office?” Gaetz questioned. “How long will he remain there before he is considered a squatter?”
Gaetz urged Blanton to respond “immediately,” arguing that McCarthy “can no longer be viewed as Speaker-Designate pursuing modern balloting.”
NBC reporter Haley Talbot on January 2 posted a movie of what appeared to be McCarthy’s items being moved into the speaker’s place of work, even before votes have been held to affirm his place. If McCarthy does not get the job immediately after numerous rounds of voting, he will have to vacate the premises.
—Haley Talbot (@haleytalbotnbc) January 2, 2023
Gaetz has been a outstanding figure in the energy to derail McCarthy’s speaker bid. On Tuesday, Gaetz — 1 of the five hardline “Never ever Kevin” associates — strongly rebuked the California congressman.
“If you want to drain the swamp, you cannot set the most significant alligator in charge of the physical exercise,” Gaetz claimed of McCarthy. “I’m a Florida person and I know of what I discuss.”
Gaetz on Tuesday also stated he was explained to not voting for McCarthy for speaker would final result in his committee assignments currently being taken away.
Gaetz has extended supported alternatives to McCarthy. In August, Gaetz said at CPAC he does not believe McCarthy need to guide the GOP.
Associates for Gaetz and McCarthy did not immediately react to Insider’s requests for comment.
McCarthy demands 218 votes to secure the gavel. Voting is predicted to resume on Wednesday.
