Former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) weighed in on the ousting of Rep. Kevin McCarthy, calling the eight Republicans who voted to remove McCarthy “opportunists.”
Eight GOP lawmakers joined Democrats Tuesday to vote against McCarthy in a historic first-time removal of a House Speaker.
In an interview with John Catsimatidis on the “Cats & Cosby” show, Gingrich warned House Republicans that the eight rogue members do not have party loyalty.
“These are opportunists who are totally irresponsible,” Gingrich said. “All eight of these guys should get defeated in the next Republican primaries because they’re not really Republicans.”
The Republicans who voted to end McCarthy’s Speakership had complained that he put a government-funding measure, known as a continuing resolution (CR), on the House floor Saturday that ended up winning more support from Democrats than Republicans. That bill was quickly passed by the House and Senate and prevented a shutdown.
But Gingrich pointed out the eight Republicans voted with every Democrat in the chamber to win the vote ending McCarthy’s Speakership Tuesday.
“[For them] to have the hypocrisy to say they were mad at Kevin McCarthy because he had worked with the Democrats on the CR, while … the only hope they had for winning [last night] was to have all the Democrats vote with them,” Gingrich said. “They were quite happy to work with Democrats to defeat McCarthy.”
The removal was spearheaded by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.). Gingrich said part of Gaetz’s motivation to remove McCarthy comes from “just pure personal bitterness.”
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) have thrown their hats into the ring to become the next Speaker.
Gaetz said either of the congressmen would be a “monumental upgrade” from McCarthy.
Gingrich said the eight members who voted to remove McCarthy should sign a document saying they wouldn’t file a motion to vacate again this term.
“If they are not willing to pledge their loyalty now to the next Speaker, don’t let them be part of picking him,” Gingrich said.
Every House member would get a vote on the floor in a new election for Speaker.