Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.) objects Friday to a speaker nomination speech by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) that Bost felt was too sharply critical of House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy.
Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.) objects Friday to a speaker nomination speech by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) that Bost felt was too sharply critical of House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy.

The speaker nomination speech by Gaetz was too critical of McCarthy, according to the congressman.

Matt Gaetz got under the skin of some of his fellow Republicans on Friday, causing them to walk out of the House chamber.

Gaetz's comments laid bare the resentments of supporters of McCarthy, the House GOP leader, and the handful of hold outs.

Gaetz objected to McCarthy's belief that he had earned the position of speaker and said McCarthy wouldn't have the votes he needed.

Is this an exercise in self-esteem? Someone who has done the math, taken the counts, and put this institution through something that is avoidable is the person.

McCarthy received support from his fellow Republicans, according to Gaetz.

They think Mr. McCarthy has earned the position of speaker of the House because he raised half a billion dollars.

One must wonder, Madam Clerk, is this an exercise in vanity? For someone who has done the math, taken the counts, and is putting this institution through something that absolutely is avoidable?Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.)

The congressman shouted at Gaetz that he was out of line. It was not going to bring anyone to Gaetz's side.

Gaetz called McCarthy the "Lebron James of special-interest fundraising in this town". Nobody is better.

Several Republicans got out of their seats and walked out of the room.

Gaetz may have made a mistake. McCarthy got the votes he needed after his speech in the 12th and 13th votes, with more than a dozen of the hold outs voting for him.

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