Representative Matt Gaetz promptly engaged in fact-checking during a televised broadcast on Friday evening, wherein he addressed the misrepresentation of a floor vote by Abby Phillip, a CNN anchor and self-proclaimed “senior political correspondent” with partisan leanings.
During their conversation, the individuals were deliberating over the House GOP majority’s failure to successfully pass a defense spending measure. The speaker asserted that the Florida Republican had cast a vote against the bill during a procedural motion referred to as a “rule.”
However, it is important to note that Gaetz had not engaged in such behavior.
“You did vote against the defense appropriations bill this week…that…the rule to advance…” she said as Gaetz interjected.
“No, I didn’t,” he insisted as she continued to make her false claim.
“Abby, this is going to be a very embarrassing moment when the internet corrects you on this,” Gaetz insisted. “I voted for the defense rule both times.”
“I stand corrected,” replied.
Last night on CNN, @abbydphillip gets FACT-CHECKED LIVE on-air by Congressman @mattgaetz for getting his vote on the defense rule this week WRONG. pic.twitter.com/UduC2eZQgq
— VISH BURRA (@VishBurra) September 23, 2023
During the interaction, Gaetz participated in a heated exchange with Fox News host Maria Bartiromo. He expressed that he had cast his vote twice in favor of the defense spending measure. Subsequently, Gaetz referred to Bartiromo as a “shill for House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.”
The Florida congressman underscored the significance, as perceived by him, of enacting uncontaminated single-bill appropriations measures. Bartiromo interjected by stating that GOP leadership was making efforts to pass four bills this week, specifically appropriations bills that would partially finance the government, including the Defense bill. Did you desire for the Defense measure to progress?
“Yes, that’s why I voted for it, and I voted for the rule to proceed on to it,” responded Gaetz. “And by the way, don’t give Kevin McCarthy credit for the fact that we’re moving on these four appropriations bills. That was the deal that House conservatives foisted upon Kevin McCarthy when he couldn’t just move the big spending bills without moving the bills that cut spending.”
“Well, he’s doing the four bills next week-” she interjected, only to be interrupted by Gaetz: “‘Cause we’re making him. ‘Cause we’re making him.”
“So to push now, to blow up all of the wins that you all have had now,” Bartiromo noted further.
“Which wins? Please enumerate them,” Gaetz responded.
Bartiromo made reference to several ongoing investigations pertaining to the politicization of governmental institutions, the involvement of China, and the impeachment inquiry. These investigations are currently being overseen by recently established committees.
“None of those things are deliverables. Those are steps in a process. Setting up a committee is an end unto itself only in Washington, D.C., but the American people demand results…These committees have done nothing to reduce inflation. They’ve done nothing to actually constrain the Biden government,” Gaetz said.
.@MariaBartiromo tried to shill for her friend @SpeakerMcCarthy this morning.
This is how that went. pic.twitter.com/FKIOS6ffPm
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) September 24, 2023
House Republican leaders experienced frustration last week when they encountered difficulties in progressing the crucial defense budget package. Consequently, McCarthy (R-Calif.) decided to postpone a vote on a short-term funding proposal.
The leadership encountered a setback when McCarthy decided to delay a procedural vote on a 30-day continuing resolution. This resolution aimed to avoid a government shutdown by the end of the month and maintain ongoing negotiations. It is worth noting that only one out of twelve appropriations bills has been approved by the chamber thus far.
The 2024 defense proposal for discussion faced opposition from Democrats, who were supported by five Republicans, resulting in a vote of 214-212 against its progress. The group of Republican legislators consisted of five individuals, namely Representatives Ken Buck (R-CO), Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Dan Bishop (R-NC), Ralph Norman (R-SC), and Matt Rosendale (R-MT).
“I took down the rule — as I vowed I would — because the Conference continues not to have moved twelve appropriations bills at the spending level agreed to in January. I assume leadership believes me now,” Bishop stated through Punchbowl News in a statement.
The resistance to moving the defense spending bill, which has many elements, such as pay increases, border security measures, and a ban on funding for transgender treatments, infuriated a number of other Republican lawmakers.
“They’re confused and they just handed a win to the Chinese Communist Party as a result of this vote,” Rep. Mike Garcia (R-Calif.) said.
The post CNN Anchor Humiliated By Matt Gaetz On Live TV appeared first on The Republic Brief.
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