Gaetz and Others Risk Suspension from GOP Conference in Order to Elect Jim Jordan as Speaker

In a shocking display that some would consider political suicide, the eight Republicans who voted for former Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s (R-CA) ouster have said that they are prepared to accept “censure, suspension, or removal from the Conference” in order to elect Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH) as Speaker. Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) led the charge as he filed the motion to vacate in early October.

In a memo sent to the members of the Republican Conference in the House of Representatives, the eight congressional legislators wrote that it is their goal to “proceed forward … in a manner that embraces reconciliation.”

The recent passage of the Motion to Vacate the Speaker has caused rancor, hurt feelings and acrimony in the House Republican Conference. While we stand by our actions, it is our goal to proceed forward with our colleagues, our teammates, our fellow Republicans in a manner that embraces reconciliation,” wrote the legislators.

They would go on to mention, “It has been suggested the Conference cannot move forward until there are consequences for each of us. While we violated no rule of either the House or Republican Conference, we understand some in the Conference wish to punish us,” said Rep. Gaetz and the seven others.

These members alongside Rep. Gaetz, Representatives Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Ken Buck (R-CO), Tim Burchett (R-TN), Eli Crane (R-AZ), Bob Good (R-VA), Nancy Mace (R-SC), and Matt Rosendale (R-MT) appear willing to sacrifice their inclusion in the Republican Conference entirely in order to see the holdouts for Rep. Jordan switch their votes.

“The actions we took were never about us – they were to change Washington for the better. The House now needs a Speaker, and we have a Speaker-Designate in Jim Jordan of Ohio. Therefore, if the holdouts who refuse to vote for Speaker-Designate Jordan would be willing to ‘vote with the team’ and elect him the 56^th House Speaker, we are prepared to accept censure, suspension, or removal from the Conference to accomplish this objective. We remain proud members of the Republican Party, as nominated by our respective districts,” they wrote.

There has been momentum to grant temporary empowerment to Pro-Tempore Patrick McHenry (R-NC). That idea has been rejected by hardline Jordan supporters such as Gaetz.