Ousting McCarthy will have been worth it, Gaetz says, even if it costs him his job

Even if he loses his job because of it, ousting Kevin McCarthy will “absolutely” have been worth it Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) said Sunday.

“The voters of Florida's First Congressional District sent me here with about 70% of the vote. So I think that anyone trying to kick me out of Congress because they didn't like me would have a bone to pick with them,” Gaetz said Sunday during an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” calling the calls from some members of his caucus to expel him “crazy.”

In a historic move, Gaetz filed a motion to vacate against then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy last week, leading to the California Republican’s removal, and leaving the House without an official leader.

“If you lose your job will it be worth it?” host Kristin Welker asked Sunday.

“Absolutely,” Gaetz said. “Look, I am here to fight for my constituents. And I'm here to ensure that America is not on a path to financial ruin.”

Members of Gaetz’s own party have been overwhelmingly critical of the Republican hardliner’s decision to move against McCarthy. Gaetz was joined in voting against McCarthy by seven Republicans: Arizona's Andy Biggs, Colorado's Ken Buck, Tennessee's Tim Burchett, Arizona's Eli Crane, Virginia's Bob Good, South Carolina's Nancy Mace and Montana's Matt Rosendale.