Gaetz Reacts to GOP Nominating Scalise for Speaker

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) is throwing his support behind House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) to become the new speaker.

On Tuesday, 113 Republicans voted to nominate Scalise to be speaker, while 99 voted for House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio.)

The whole House will now have to vote for a new speaker.

Scalise would need to win 217 votes to win the speaker’s gavel.

And Gaetz, who led the effort to oust former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), voiced support for Scalise.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the Florida congressman wrote, “Scalise > McCarthy”

And speaking to reporters, Gaetz said, “I’m excited for him. I can’t wait to go vote for him.”

“Long live Speaker Scalise!” he added.

However, other Republicans — who opposed the effort to oust McCarthy — did not appear ready to support Scalise.

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) wrote on X, “Surprises are for little kids at birthday parties, not Congress. So, I let Scalise know in person that he doesn’t have my vote on the floor, because he has not articulated a viable plan for avoiding an omnibus.”

Meanwhile, Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) said, “I will not be voting for on the floor this afternoon. The House GOP should NOT have called a vote at 300pm after finishing the vote at 130pm in Conference. That is unacceptable purposeful.”

Scalise’s nomination comes a week after the House made history with its decision to strip McCarthy from his position.