‘McCarthy would not be speaker’: GOP congressman reveals moment that secured Kevin’s speakership
Cami Mondeaux
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In one of the most contentious and viral moments of the House leadership elections, Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) jumped to constrain fellow Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL) during an argument with Matt Gaetz (R-FL) — likely saving Kevin McCarthy’s (R-CA) speakership bid, according to one GOP member.
The moment occurred around 11 p.m. on Jan. 6 after McCarthy failed to secure the speakership after a 14th round of voting on the House floor. McCarthy then approached Gaetz and Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), who had voted against his bid, in a last-ditch effort to swing their votes.
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During that exchange, Rogers joined the conversation to begin berating Gaetz, prompting Hudson to step in and remove the Alabama Republican from the group. The scene marked a moment of high tension on the House floor, and video footage from the incident quickly went viral on the internet.
However, that exchange may have been the moment that helped McCarthy secure the top House position, according to Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC).
“Had Richard Hudson not been there, it would be a whole different night. It would be a whole different week, and Kevin McCarthy would not be speaker of the House,” McHenry told Spectrum News. “Had Richard Hudson not walked over when he did, and instinctively do the right thing to remove somebody from a bad situation that was on the cusp of getting much much worse … It was much more tense on the floor than what the video gives credit to.”
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McCarthy was elected speaker during a 15th round of voting, marking the longest House leadership election since 1859. The California Republican was able to flip 14 GOP votes in his favor to support his bid, with the six remaining defectors voting present.
Gaetz and Rogers have since eased tensions, later posting on Twitter that the two enjoy a productive relationship that would not be squandered by the incident.
“I regret that I briefly lost my temper on the House Floor … and appreciate Matt’s kind understanding,” Rogers tweeted.