Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) declined to reveal support for either of the two contenders for Speaker on Sunday’s episode of NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
Gaetz, who led the effort to boot former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) last week, did not reveal whether he would support Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) or House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) for the upcoming Speakership election expected this week.
“I want to hear both of their specific plans on spending and on single-subject appropriations bills,” he told host Kristen Welker, who then asked the Florida Republican whether he would support whichever man got the most support from the GOP conference.
“Yes, if either of those men get the most support in the conference, I’m eager to vote for them on the floor,” he responded.
Eight Republicans joined with all the Democrats last week to take away McCarthy’s gavel. McCarthy has said that he will not seek the Speakership again but would run for reelection for his congressional seat.
Gaetz spoke highly of both contenders Sunday, saying that the House has “two great men running for Speaker.” He suggested that the position will be “upgraded” with the new Speaker.
“And by the way, if we have a Speaker Jim Jordan or a Speaker Steve Scalise at the end of the coming week, there won’t be a single Republican, sans maybe Kevin McCarthy, who doesn’t believe that we have upgraded the position,” Gaetz said.
“This is about ensuring long-term stability financially for our country from a leadership standpoint. And with either Steve Scalise or Jim Jordan, we will undeniably have an upgrade, and I’m looking forward to it,” he added.