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As Matt Gaetz speaks at RNC, see the Republicans that voted out Kevin McCarthy
By James Powel, Jeremy Yurow and Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY,
30 days ago
The latest turn in the feud between Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) took place on the floor of the Republican National Convention Tuesday.
Gaetz confronted McCarthy on the floor of Fiserv Forum and harangued the former Speaker saying, "What night are you speaking? Are you speaking tonight? If you took that stage, you would get booed off of it."
Gaetz delivered a spirited message of his own on Wednesday, thanking the crowd for their support.
Gaetz was a primary instigator in the ousting of McCarthy from the speakership in October. McCarthy has backed primary challengers to what he calls, "" Gaetz Eight. "
Represents Florida's 1st district, covering the western-most part of the Panhandle, including Pensacola.
Elected in 2016.
Gaetz has been a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump and a controversial figure for his far-right views. He is currently under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for allegations of sexual misconduct, campaign finance violations, taking bribes, and using drugs.
Gaetz played a central role in ousting McCarthy, bringing the motion to vacate to the house and helping to organize a small group of Republicans to join him in crossing the partisan line. In doing so, he has proved his ability to put provocative statements into power , fueling rumors of a run for the Governor's seat in 2026.
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., is seen on the House floor as House lawmakers hold a vote to elect a new speaker in Washington on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK
Biggs was critical of McCarthy's deals to prevent a shutdown before Tuesday's vote, saying that McCarthy was ineffective at achieving some Republican goals. “This is a lawless Biden regime. They will not enforce border laws,” Biggs said before noting his vote to vacate McCarthy .
Buck is a member of the House Freedom Caucus , making him a part of the most conservative lawmakers. He drew criticism from other far-right representatives recently when he called on Trump to tell Americans to "stand down and allow the judicial system to take its course,” after Trump's multiple criminal indictments.
"We are $33 trillion in debt and on track to hit $50 trillion by 2030. We cannot continue to fund the government by continuing resolutions and omnibus spending bills. That's why I voted to oust (McCarthy)," Buck wrote in a post on X . "We must change course to sensible budgeting and save our country."
Burchett supported McCarthy all the way through his speakership votes in January and was torn on ousting him until the last minute, according to The Hill. But it was a condescending comment from McCarthy that pushed Burchett to oust him.
"Then the first thing out of his mouth on the phone was something very condescending. I thought, ‘Well, I’m gonna listen to him. I’m glad he’s calling. I’m sorry it’s right here at the last hour, but I’m gonna listen to him.’ And it was something condescending about my religious beliefs, and I just thought, I don’t need that," he told The Hill. "And that answered my question right there. The quality and the character there … maybe that’s the wrong thing to judge it on, but that’s what I did.”
Eli Crane
Represents Arizona's 2nd District , covering the majority of the northeastern part of the state.
Crane is a member of the House Freedom Caucus, according to his website. He also voted "present" during McCarthy's bid for Speakership in January.
"I ran for congress to make sure the voices of we the people weren't steamrolled by the status quo. We need to change the ineffective and dishonest way this town works," he wrote in a statement on X . "I'm prepared to support a speaker who agrees."
A member of the House Freedom Caucus, Good is considered an ultra-conservative congressman. He voiced opposition to McCarthy while he was going for the speaker's seat in January, telling Politico “He doesn’t have anything that I want.” McCarthy supported Good's opponent in Virginia's 2020 congressional race, Rep. Denver Riggleman , whom Good was challenging after the opponent officiated a same sex wedding, the outlet reported.
"We need a speaker, ideally someone who doesn't wanna be speaker and hasn't pursued that at all costs for his entire adult life, who will meet the moment and do everything possible to fight for the country," Good said before casting his vote to vacate.
In an X thread , Mace said that she cast her vote as an independent voice in Congress to hold McCarthy accountable for not moving the needle on women's issues.
He is a far-right conservative who supported Trump's false claims about the 2020 election and prioritized security for the southern border in his no-vote for supporting Ukraine, according to the Associated Press .
"I do not take pleasure in what occurred yesterday. But Montanans did not send me to Washington to stand by and watch the Speaker of the House of Representatives sell the American people short by not moving forward with legislation to cut spending, secure our border, and make us energy dominant again," Rosendale said in a statement about his vote.
When and where is the Republican National Convention?
The Republicans' convention will take place over four days, from July 15-18 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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