Florida Republican frustrated by lack of progress
On September 24, Florida's most outspoken and occasionally-divisive Republican - Congressman Matt Gaetz - appeared on Fox News with Maria Bartiromo, and it would seem he was in a contemplative mood as a potential government shutdown looms ever-closer.
As he reflected on the ongoing failure of the House of Representatives to agree a new government funding bill, it was clear that he recognizes how much of the so-called 'work' done in Congress, results in very little by way of meaningful change or results.
Sharing an excerpt from the interview on Twitter, Gaetz showed uncharacteristic self-awareness as he described the apparent failings of government as a shutdown looms ever-larger.
As he put it:
"Setting up a committee is an end unto itself only in Washington, D.C. The American people demand results."
The Florida 'firebrand' continued pointing out that bad decisions, even those made by formal committees are still bad decisions:
"We can set up committees, have hearings, and yell at people. But at the end of the day, if we still send the check to fund a weaponized government, having a Weaponization Subcommittee is little relief."
Some may feel that the Florida Republican has a point. Many would also agree with another of his recent rants, after he complained that Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, had decided to recommend that the House of Representatives began their weekend at 3pm on Thursday last week when no funding bill had been agreed.
Gaetz becomes frustrated with Fox?
Meanwhile, after the September 24 exchange between Gaetz and Bartiromo became ever-more tense and frosty, rumors have since emerged of a feud emerging between the two.
The dialog between appeared to be more than the typical challenging back-and-forth that the public have come to expect with outspoken politicians like Florida's Gaetz. If this is the case, it could signal a further breakdown between former allies on the political-right, and would represent a worsening of the "chaos vibes" that Democrats like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have suggested are ruling the Republican party at present.
Their discussion had started out badly when Bartiromo introduced Florida's Gaetz as "one of the people holding up an agreement to fund government". From that point on, it was clear that the Republican was in no mood to be held accountable for the failure of house Republicans to come up with a funding bill as yet.
A failing of key Republicans?
While he may feel that government fixates too much on setting up committees and holding hearings to make progress, Gaetz has repeatedly stated who he thinks is at fault in this situation: fellow-Republican and Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy.
He has been a repeated critic of McCarthy professionally, as well as belittling him with personal insults too. On September 13 he appeared on MSNBC and told host Ari Melber that in his opinion, McCarthy is:
"...a sad and pathetic man who lies to hold on to power."
While a government shutdown seems more likely than ever, when the matter is eventually resolved it still seems likely that Gaetz will continue his crusade against Kevin McCarthy, to get him removed from the speaker's chair once and for all.
Do you think that Matt Gaetz is right to call-out his colleagues in government for failing to prevent a shutdown (as yet)? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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