House Republicans who oppose Israeli war efforts are unapologetic for Congress’ current standstill. Kevin McCarthy addresses them.

The Republicans who voted to oust former House speaker Kevin McCarthy (R., Calif.) have not expressed remorse for their actions, which have left Congress powerless​ to help Israel in its‍ war against Hamas.

None of the eight Republican members of Congress who ​voted with Democrats last week to vacate the speakership​ responded to a Washington Free Beacon request for comment about whether they ‌regret grinding‌ the House ⁢of Representatives to a halt.

The ringleader of the effort, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R., Fla.) dodged questions in an interview‌ on Sunday morning’s Meet the ⁢Press, arguing that Israel has a “qualitative military edge over everyone in the region” ‍and citing Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s statement that the Biden Administration has​ assured Israel‌ it will get the military aid it⁣ needs.

The House of​ Representatives has never voted to oust a speaker, leaving the body in ⁣uncharted territory. It is unclear whether a member, in ⁣particular Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry (R., ⁢N.C.), has the power to preside over the House for matters ​other than electing a permanent ⁣speaker.

McCarthy, however, is clear on what he would be doing were he still⁣ leading the House. ⁢In an interview with the Free Beacon, McCarthy said it’s important that Congress speak with one ‌voice right now—something it cannot ⁣do—and ensure Israel gets the ⁣military aid and munitions it needs. “We’d‍ do not just a resolution, but if there are resources needed, make sure anything is free flowing,” McCarthy⁣ said.

The former ​speaker also defended his successful effort to keep the government open, arguing that the crisis in Congress would be compounded had the government shut ​down. “You can’t do‍ anything. And not only ⁢stalled, it makes Republicans look weak. Remember, I turned something around in one day and kept government open. Think for one moment ‍if government was closed today. You’ve got 30,000 American troops in the Middle East not knowing if⁢ they’re going to get paid,” he said.

Sources ⁢close to the House Republican Conference expressed ⁤concerns that⁣ even simple motions to bring legislation to the ‌floor or condemn the attacks could result in legal challenges or be reversed with a simple majority vote.

Lawmakers are ‌even struggling to determine how to brief lawmakers on the ongoing⁤ Hamas assault on Israel, which began early Saturday and has left at least​ 700 Israelis dead, and thousands more injured. The bloodshed in Israel is the worst since the ‌Jewish state’s founding 75 years ago. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday declared that the nation is at war with Hamas, an⁣ Iran-backed Islamic terrorist group that operates out of‌ Gaza. There⁣ is no evidence the conflict will subside​ anytime‍ soon, as ⁢the Israeli military mobilizes in the face of ongoing Hamas attacks.

For the time being, Israel may⁢ largely have​ to mount its ⁢counter offensive without full U.S. support. McCarthy told​ Fox News on Saturday that “there is nothing the House can do until they elect a speaker,​ and ‍I don’t know if that happens quickly.”

Democrats, who went along with Gaetz’s scheme to sow chaos in Congress, are in ​an awkward position ⁣as well. Appearing on CNN Sunday, House ⁢Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D., N.Y.) said “there will likely be a need for some additional appropriations” to help ‌Israel bolster​ its defense system. Jeffries, ⁢who instructed House Democrats⁣ to vote to remove McCarthy, was not asked about his role⁣ in preventing⁤ Congress from taking action.

Gaetz, who is‌ said to ⁢be considering a run for governor in 2026, could see his electoral prospects plummet as Congress stalls on sending aid to Israel. Florida’s Jewish population is the third highest in the country and a critical voting bloc in both Republican primaries ⁣and general elections. Gaetz said Saturday he is “closely monitoring the terrorist attack by Hamas.”

Rep. Mike Lawler (R., N.Y.), whose district includes a large Jewish population,⁢ slammed Gaetz and his⁣ allies on Sunday for their “idiotic” plot and ⁣called on the House to “immediately reinstate McCarthy and ‍stop screwing around.”

How does the vote to⁤ vacate the speakership ‌and the resulting‌ legislative paralysis in the House of Representatives affect the ability to provide assistance to Israel in its time of ⁣need?

S ago.

Despite the urgent need for Congress to take action and support Israel in⁣ its⁢ war against Hamas, the Republicans who voted to⁤ oust former House Speaker Kevin ⁢McCarthy ‌have shown no ⁣remorse for their actions. This has left⁢ Congress in a state of powerlessness, unable to effectively aid Israel in this critical ⁤time.

Last⁢ week, eight Republicans‍ joined forces with Democrats to ⁢vacate the​ speakership, ‌effectively grinding‍ the House of Representatives to ‍a halt. ⁢However, ⁢when approached for comment ⁤by the Washington Free Beacon, none of​ these ​Republican members ​of Congress responded. Their silence speaks volumes about their lack of ⁣regret for their disruptive actions.

One of‍ the key figures behind this effort was‍ Rep. Matt Gaetz ‌from Florida, who chose to avoid questions and dodge the issue during an interview on Sunday morning’s Meet the Press.​ Gaetz argued that ⁤Israel possesses a qualitative military⁣ edge over ⁤everyone in the ‌region and cited⁢ Secretary‍ of‌ State Antony Blinken’s statement that the Biden Administration has assured Israel of receiving the military aid it requires.

This unprecedented ⁤vote to oust a speaker has left⁣ the House of​ Representatives in uncharted territory. It remains‌ unclear​ whether Speaker ​Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry has the power ⁤to⁢ preside over the⁣ House⁣ for ⁣matters other than electing a permanent⁤ speaker. ‍With Congress unable to speak with⁣ one voice,‌ as former Speaker​ McCarthy emphasized ⁢in an interview ⁢with the Free ⁣Beacon, ensuring that‍ Israel⁢ receives the necessary military aid and munitions becomes increasingly challenging.

McCarthy also defended⁢ his ​successful effort to keep the government open, highlighting the detrimental⁤ consequences of a‌ government‌ shutdown.‍ He emphasized how such a shutdown would not only stall progress but also make Republicans appear weak. McCarthy‍ raised⁢ an important point about the impact a shutdown⁢ would have on⁣ the 30,000 American troops‍ in the Middle East who would be left uncertain about their payments.

Amidst ‌these internal disputes, concerns have been raised by sources close to the House Republican Conference regarding the potential legal challenges or reversals that could arise from simple motions to⁣ bring legislation to the floor or ‍condemn the ⁤attacks. The ‍House​ is struggling even to determine how ‍to brief lawmakers on the ⁢ongoing Hamas assault on Israel, which has ‍already claimed ​the lives of ⁢at ⁢least ⁤700 Israelis and left thousands more ‍injured. This level of legislative⁢ paralysis is unprecedented and poses a significant obstacle to effectively supporting ⁣Israel⁤ in its time of need.

As the bloodshed in Israel continues to escalate, the urgency​ for Congress to ​act and provide assistance grows⁢ stronger. Unfortunately, the Republicans who voted to oust former Speaker McCarthy have shown⁢ no remorse for their actions, leaving Congress powerless in its ⁢ability to help Israel in its war against Hamas. The consequences of this power struggle and the impasse ‍in​ Congress are becoming alarmingly evident. It ‌is imperative ‍for‍ the‌ Republicans involved to ⁤reassess their stance and⁢ prioritize the interests of the country and ⁢its allies‌ over partisan ‍politics. Otherwise, the‍ collateral damage caused by this internal strife will only⁢ continue to grow.

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