What Matt Gaetz Reportedly Said After the 14th Ballot Was Music to McCarthy’s Ears

Matt Vespa | January 06, 2023 11:55 PM

Spencer’s blood pressure has probably spiked through the roof because after a 14^th ballot—Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) failed to secure the votes for the House speaker. It was a preview of how this speakership might operate since McCarthy once again bungled the vote count. He and his team cruised onto the House floor thinking they had this thing locked up—and they didn’t.

We'll be going to a 15th ballot... pic.twitter.com/WiTz5eQJEd
— Triggered Podcast (@TriggeredTHM) January 7, 2023

Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) voted present, but Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) was among the last to cast his vote. He also was a 'present' vote, which wasn’t enough for McCarthy to win. He apparently wasn’t in the chamber when his name was initially called. When McCarthy knew he was one shy of the gavel, he confronted Gaetz, which got even more heated when Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL) walked up to the Florida Republican, having to be physically dragged away. The California Republican needed Gaetz's support or one more person to vote 'present.'

The moment pic.twitter.com/xHjSec8hJE
— Olivia Beavers (@Olivia_Beavers) January 7, 2023

As the House was voting on the motion to adjourn until Monday at noon, some discussion between Gaetz and McCarthy’s allies must have been productive because a slew of House Republicans rushed to change their vote. It became clear that McCarthy might have the votes this time when smiles were seen among a host of GOP House members, with Gaetz receiving multiple handshakes and fist bumps from his colleagues. He reportedly was heard declaring his support behind McCarthy. The motion to adjourn was defeated since 40 some Republicans voted 'nay,' which set the stage for this 15th ballot.