Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), one of House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy’s (R-CA) most vocal critics, sent a letter to the architect of the Capitol questioning why the California Republican is occupying the speaker’s office after falling short on votes Tuesday.
McCarthy moved into former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) office shortly after Christmas, with leadership members-elect shifting office space as the parties prepared for a shift in the majority in the lower chamber.
In the letter sent to Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton, Gaetz argued that McCarthy is a “squatter” and should not be considered the speaker designate.
MCCARTHY DEFIANT AHEAD OF SPEAKER VOTE: ‘I’VE EARNED THIS GODDAMN JOB’
“I write to inform you that the Speaker of the House Office located in the U.S. Capitol Building is currently occupied by Rep. Kevin McCarthy. As of this morning, the 117th Congress adjourned sine die, and a Speaker from the 118th Congress has not been elected,” he wrote. “After three undeciding votes, no member can lay claim to this office.”
“What is the basis in law, House rule, or precedent to allow someone who has placed second in three successive speaker elections to occupy the Speaker of the House Office?” Gaetz asked. “How long will he remain there before he is considered a squatter? Please write back promptly as it seems Mr. McCarthy can no longer be considered Speaker-Designate following today’s balloting.”
McCarthy is facing an uphill battle in flipping the votes needed to obtain the position he has long vied for, with 20 Republicans voting against him on the floor on Tuesday.
The House GOP leader has vowed to push forward with additional votes despite his critics asserting that they will not cave unless he provides additional concessions in their demands for rules changes and better committee assignments.
Multiple conservative lawmakers took issue with the optics of McCarthy moving into the office despite his winning the internal election in November.
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The House adjourned on Tuesday without clarity over who will get the gavel, with the chamber slated to gavel back in on Wednesday at noon.
Tuesday marked the first time since 1923 that a speaker vote went to a second ballot.
