Rogers Lunges at Gaetz, Then McCarthy Wins on the 15th Ballot: 'I Will Never Give Up' (January 6, 2023)

Late on the fourth day of voting for speaker, Kevin McCarthy came up short for the 14th time. Then tempers broke on the House floor [1][2].

Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., “walked up to Gaetz’s row and made a move toward him,” Fox News reported. “Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., intervened and physically restrained Rogers, pulling him back by his shoulders in full view of C-SPAN’s cameras” [1].

“Rogers could then be seen appearing to yell: ‘I won’t forget this!’” Fox reported [1].

The video above shows the confrontation on the night of Jan. 6, 2023. Vote totals are from the House Clerk’s official roll calls [2][3][4].

”Committee”

The flashpoint came right after the failed ballot. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., one of the holdouts blocking McCarthy, “was discussing with Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., the possibility of backing him in the next vote and appeared to mouth the word ‘committee,’” Fox News reported [1].

“Gaetz is currently on the House Armed Services Committee, which is chaired by Rogers,” Fox noted [1].

The 14th Ballot

The 14th roll call closed at 11:07 p.m. McCarthy had 216 votes to 212 for Democrat Hakeem Jeffries. Rep. Jim Jordan and Rep. Andy Biggs got two each, and two members, including Gaetz, voted “present” [2].

At 11:40 p.m., the House voted down a motion to adjourn, 155-279. Gaetz voted no [3].

”Present”

The 15th ballot came at 12:34 a.m. on Jan. 7. This time six members voted “present,” and McCarthy’s 216 votes to Jeffries’ 212 were enough [4].

“In the 15th and final vote, McCarthy was officially elected speaker with Gaetz voting ‘present,’” Fox News reported [1].

”I Will Never Give Up”

McCarthy took the gavel after a week of defections. “I hope one thing is clear after this week: I will never give up. I will never give up for you, the American people. And I will never give up on keeping our Commitment to America,” he said [5].

“You know – my father always told me: It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. And now we need to finish strong for the American people,” McCarthy said [5].

“As Speaker of the House, my ultimate responsibility is not to my party, my conference, or even our Congress. My responsibility – our responsibility – is to our country,” he said [5].

He promised a check on President Joe Biden. “Our system is built on checks and balances. It’s time for us to be the check and provide some balance to the President’s policies,” he said [5].

”Hakeem – I Need to Warn You”

McCarthy also had a joke for the new Democratic leader. “Hakeem – I need to warn you: I also won 100 percent of my conference vote on this floor two years ago. So, good luck!” he said [5].

“To Leader Jeffries – there will be times we will agree and many times we will differ. I promise that our debates will be passionate, but never personal,” McCarthy added [5].

“87,000 New IRS Agents”

McCarthy named two long-term targets. “We will also address America’s long-term challenges: the debt and the Chinese Communist Party. Congress must speak with one voice on both of these issues,” he said [5].

“We pledge to cut the regulatory burden, lower energy costs for families, and create good-paying jobs for workers by unleashing reliable, abundant American-made energy,” McCarthy said [5].

Then he laid out the first order of business. “Our first bill will repeal funding for 87,000 new IRS agents. Because the government should be here to help you, not go after you,” McCarthy said [5].

He also reopened the Capitol. “My friends – this chamber is now fully open for all Americans,” he said. The line “was met with thunderous applause from Republicans,” Fox reported. “Democrats in the chamber remained silent” [5].

”I Briefly Lost My Temper”

Two days later, Rogers apologized. “I regret that I briefly lost my temper on the House Floor Friday evening and appreciate Matt’s kind understanding,” he wrote, Fox News reported [6].

Gaetz accepted. “Of course in a late night moment of high drama, people can have moments of frustration,” he said. “He has my forgiveness and certainly is someone who has done great things for our national defense and will continue to do those great things” [6].

By the Numbers

15: ballots it took to elect McCarthy [1][4].
216-212: McCarthy over Jeffries on the final ballot [4].
6: members voting “present” on that ballot [4].
155-279: the failed motion to adjourn after the confrontation [3].
221-210: the House vote to repeal the IRS funding two days later [7].

What Happened Next

The IRS bill passed the House. On Jan. 9, 2023, the House passed the Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act, 221-210 [7].

The China committee. On Jan. 10, 2023, the House voted 365-65 to establish the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. Every Republican who voted backed it [9].

Gaetz came back for McCarthy. On Oct. 3, 2023, the House voted 216-210 on a resolution “Declaring the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives to be vacant.” Eight Republicans, including Gaetz, joined 208 Democrats. Rogers voted no [8].

For how President Biden watched the speaker fight, see HYGO News’ page on Biden and Harris that week.