“A house divided against itself cannot stand. . . “
NBC reports fallout from yesterday’s “ultimatum” speech given by Matt Gaetz to Kevin McCarthy . Frustration boiled over in a closed-door House GOP meeting Thursday morning when Speaker McCarthy all but dared his detractors to file the “motion to vacate” the speaker’s chair and try to remove him.
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In the meeting, McCarthy told House Republicans, “If you want to file a motion to vacate, then file the f—ing motion,” according to two sources in the room who confirmed the comments to NBC News.
It was a nod to members including Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., and others who are threatening to force him out of the speakership if he doesn’t comply with their demands, like putting certain bills on the floor and not passing a stopgap bill to prevent a government shutdown at the end of the month.
The Hill adds the meltdown comes after hard-line conservatives, who have been battling with GOP leadership for months over topline numbers in spending bills, forced GOP leaders to punt consideration of a Department of Defense (DOD) appropriations bill Wednesday.
“The battles are playing out against the backdrop of a potential government shutdown deadline of Sept. 30 if Congress cannot pass a stopgap government funding bill — which the House Freedom Caucus has also put demands on.”