Media: DC Enquirer.
Note: This article may contain commentary reflecting the author’s opinion.
On Thursday evening, the House of Representatives continued to debate who would be elected the House of Representatives with congressional Republicans inching closer to a deal between the two party factions.
Rep. French Hill (R-AR) nominated Rep. Kevin McCarthy for the historic eleventh ballot. Throughout his speech, he argued that McCarthy will bring about fiscal responsibility and a pro-growth agenda for America in the 118th Congress.
āI rise tonight in the spirit of 1923 to address the House,ā Hill began his speech. āThe role of the Speaker of the House is one of the most beloved in American history. The Speakerās mission is to carry out the principled goals or objectives of his or her party while at the same time protecting this institution and the traditions of the Peopleās House all while staying faithful to the mission promoted in the preamble of the Constitution to advance the general welfare.ā
āItās said that a nation not in control of its finances cannot control its destiny. And I agree. From our many conversations over many years that our next Speaker Kevin McCarthy agrees,ā the congressman said. āOver the past two years, we have lost our way on spending. Printing too much money at our central bank and spending here at Congress like drunken sailors.ā
āWho can deliver fiscal discipline? Kevin McCarthy,ā the Republican explained. āNo one has asked me to cut spending in writing and there arenāt many people who get mail in this House to cut spendingā¦In contrast, we get hundreds of letters to increase spending.ā
āIn 2018 then majority leader Kevin McCarthy brought a balanced budget amendment to the floor of this House. Mr. McCarthy said by our actions we showed Washingtonās spending problem canāt be boiled down to a lack of will,ā the Arkansas Republican stated. āThe process of government funding in Washington is broken.ā
āKevin McCarthy is committed to making big changes,ā the Arkansas representative continued. āChanges will bring sanity back to our fiscal process.ā
Hill then went on to explain how the events of 1923 resemble that of 2023 when Republicans eventually unified to bring about a pro-growth agenda for America.
Following the nomination of Rep. Hakeen Jefferies (R-NY), Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) nominated former President Donald Trump to take up the Speakerās gavel.
āMy friends when Donald trump was president, taxes were cut, regulations were slashed, energy was abundant, wages were rising, capital was returning from overseas to fund the dreams and ambitions of our fellow Americans, and the economy was roaring,ā Gaetz began in his speech to the assembled representatives. āWhat a contrast to what we have seen from this administration now. So I rise to nominate Donald Trump for the position of Speaker of the House.ā
Gaetz then discussed how Minority Leader Jefferies worked with President Trump for criminal justice reform and other bipartisan efforts during his administration. Following this, he focused on Trumpās accomplishments during his presidency.
āI also care deeply about President Trumpās focus on our nationās veterans. It seemed for far too long on the campaign trail, veterans were disregarded, forgotten about when we would get elected to office their issues would not always rise and get center stage,ā the GOP opposition leader said. āBut we were able to pass veteran accountability measures.ā
āPresident Trump oriented our views on trade so that we actually put American people first, not foreign interests abroad or special interests here at home. President Trump knew that we had to confront China. That China had already engaged in a trade war against us but it was a war that we were surrendering so we started to fight back,ā Gaetz continued. āHe stood with our farmers. And on foreign policy, we stopped trying to find a new Jeffersonian democracy to build out of sand and blood and Arab militias in the Middle East.
āPresident Trump, I believe, is the first president who didnāt start any new wars. This is an issue I know that unites some elements of the right and left for the benefit of our communities,ā the Florida congressman explained. āThis government for far too long has been deeply corrupt. This town has been deeply corrupt. The way people get leadership positions and chairmanships and opportunities is by accepting lobbyist and special interest money and redistributing that money as currency for favors. Thatās not a criticism of either political party, it is a criticism of what we have allowed to happen in this place. And if we just go next man up on our side of the aisle we will reify that corrupt system and we will abandon the people who expect us to fight for them.ā
āIt is my sincere fear that if we allow Mr. McCarthy to assume the Speakership that would not get done,ā Gaetz reiterated to his Republican colleagues. āIt would be business as usual and the very same things that have paralyzed progress for both parties would continue to shackle us to never-ending failure. We can be better than that. We can raise our gaze indeed.ā
āSo I nominate President Trump because we must make our country great again and he can start by making the House of Representatives great again,ā the representative said at the conclusion of his speech.
Rep. Bob Good (R-VA) then nominated Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK). His speech focused on the $1.7 trillion omnibus bill, fiscal responsibility, and the trampling of rights during the Coronavirus Pandemic. He also spoke about Hernās time on the Republican Study Committee and his efforts to put forth a responsible budget.
The final tally for the eleventh ballot to lead the lower chamber is as follows: 212 votes for Jefferies, 200 votes for McCarthy, 12 votes for Donalds, seven votes for Hern, and one vote for President Trump. Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN) voted present.