In a private meeting yesterday, Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Lauren Boebert (R-CO) and Scott Perry (R-PA) told Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) that they don’t mind if the speaker vote goes to plurality and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) is elected because they will fight him, Punchbowl News reports.
Brendan Buck: “The agitators’ objective isn’t to win the speakership for one of their own; it is to weaken Mr. McCarthy or whoever emerges as the next speaker of the House. The embarrassment indeed may be the point.”
Jake Sherman: “The vibe in the GOP leadership right now is that it’s time to have the fight with the House Freedom Caucus that has been brewing for 12 years. Will McCarthy end up as speaker? Who knows. This speaker fight can go a long long time.”