Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., is calling on his Republican colleagues to unite and support Rep. Mike Johnson for speaker of the House. Gimenez announced that he will be voting for Johnson, who currently has one definite Republican 'no' vote from Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky.
Gimenez emphasized the importance of unity in the party, stating that the speaker race is larger than any individual. He highlighted the need to advance a robust agenda supported by the Trump administration, which requires a speaker in place to move forward effectively.
House Republicans have introduced a new rules package for the 119th Congress, which includes changes to the process for removing a speaker. Under the proposed rules, any lawmaker seeking to oust the speaker must have eight cosponsors in addition to the initial motion, aiming to prevent the kind of chaos witnessed in the past.
Gimenez expressed his belief that the new rule does not go far enough in ensuring stability within the party. He referenced past instances, such as the motion to oust former Rep. Kevin McCarthy, as examples of the need for a more structured process.
According to Gimenez, the focus should be on moving forward as a united party to address the challenges facing the country. He stressed the importance of setting aside individual differences and working together to advance the party's agenda for the benefit of America.
