by The tension was high in the house on Friday night when the members had to physically prevent the rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL) from going to Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) after the 14th failed attempt to elect Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-AL) -CA) who speaks for the House.
McCarthy came within half a vote of securing the speakership after the 14th ballot. Although McCarthy received 216 votes, this was not enough to secure the speakership at the time. Gaetz and Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) voted “present” and four other House Republicans voted for other members.
Shortly after the 14th failed ballot, McCarthy came closer Gaetz at his place at the back of the hall to have a discussion. It is unclear what Gaetz and McCarthy discussed. As Gaetz pointed the finger at McCarthy, another member stepped in front of McCarthy and tried to diffuse the situation.
US Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) gestures to US Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), not pictured, in the House Chamber as voting continues for a new speaker at the US Capitol in Washington (Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via @GettyImages ) pic.twitter.com/slct4J82z8
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) 7 January 2023
After McCarthy turned back to his seat, Rogers approached Gaetz’s seat and leaned over the three members sitting between him and Gaetz to address the anti-McCarthy holdout.
But as Rogers bent over to get in Gaetz’s face, another member, reportedly Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC), came up behind Rogers, put his hand over Rogers’ mouth and pulled Rogers away from the confrontation.
CSPAN’s congressional cameras briefly captured the altercation:
Wild scene as rep. Mike Rogers has to be physically restrained by another member as he goes after Gaetz while McCarthy tries to secure final votes pic.twitter.com/c0u2lZxgYr
— Cabot Phillips (@cabot_phillips) 7 January 2023
What is this? Mike Rogers of Alabama…? pic.twitter.com/kVKwkb8Wus
— GingerSnap (@CackyC) 7 January 2023
In addition, several photographers captured the argument from different angles:
Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) walks away from Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) as an argument with Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) breaks out during a session of the House of Representatives to select a speaker of the House. . Jack Gruber-USA TODAY @guygruber @usatoday pic.twitter.com/iUiXbdp9RV
— Andrew P. Scott (@apscott) 7 January 2023
Rep. Hudson, RN.C., left, draws Rep. Rogers, R-Ala., while confronting Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., during the 14th round of voting for speaker as the House of Representatives convenes for the fourth day of trying to choose a speaker in Washington, Friday, June 6. January 2023. (@AP photo/@andyharnik) pic.twitter.com/ok3K8ERtfU
— Andrew Harnik (@andyharnik) 7 January 2023
US Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL) is restrained after getting into an argument with Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) in the House Chamber (@GettyImages | Chip Somodevilla) pic.twitter.com/2ppWZ5i1Ql
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) 7 January 2023
Members of the House erupted in shock when the altercation occurred, prompting McCarthy to turn and walk back at the two members.
“Rogers immediately went to the locker room to cool off,” according to NBC News.
After the argument, a motion to adjourn failed, leading to a 15th vote in which McCarthy finally secured the speakership.
Multiple R sources tell me Gaetz has agreed to vote for McCarthy…
— Olivia Beavers (@Olivia_Beavers) 7 January 2023
