Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), walks through the basement of the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill, in Washington on Jan. 3, 2023. (T.J. Kirkpatrick/The New York Times)
Congressman Matt Gaetz has taken issue with Kevin McCarthy’s use of the office assigned to the Speaker of the House, and sent a letter to the Capitol building manager suggesting McCarthy should be “considered a squatter.”
The Florida Republican brought the issue to Brett Blanton, who oversees the office known as Architect of the Capitol.
The lettter Gaetz sent Tuesday night reads:
“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. 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? 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.”
Gaetz is one of 20 Republican House members who voted against McCarthy to assume the speaker’s position, vacated Tuesday by Nancy Pelosi.
McCarthy vowed to continue his pursuit of the office Wednesday, backed by a public statement from Donald Trump urging Republicans to avoid “A GIANT & EMBARRASSING DEFEAT.”
Originally published at Bay Area News Group