Gaetz on failed Mayorkas impeachment vote: ‘Never missed George Santos more’

Following a failed attempt from the House GOP to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) said that he had “never missed” former Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) more after three Republicans joined Democrats to oppose the measure, marking a stunning loss for the party. 

Gaetz, one of 112 Republicans who voted against expelling the embattled lawmaker from the House in December, suggested during an appearance on Newsmax’s “The Balance” that with Santos’s vote, the party may have clinched enough needed to bolster their already slim majority. 

“As I am watching that board and it’s 215-215, I have never missed George Santos more,” Gaetz told Eric Bolling. 

The final 214-216 vote came after Rep. Al Green (D-Texas), who showed up unexpectedly wearing hospital scrubs and no socks, according to NBC, voted against the impeachment. While two GOP defections were expected, there was a third surprise “no” vote from Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.).

The fourth surprise GOP lawmaker to vote against the impeachment came from Rep. Blake Moore (R-Utah), vice chair of the GOP conference, who flipped his vote seconds before the vote closed. The procedural move allows the conference to bring the legislation back to the floor at a later date.

Despite spearheading the effort to oust him from his position, the Florida lawmaker also highlighted former Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s (R-Calif.) absence, alluding to the difference his vote may too have had on the final tally. 

“I also wondered, wouldn’t it have been nice to still have Kevin McCarthy in the House of Representatives? Never thought you’d hear me say that,” Gaetz said. 

“Kevin McCarthy — after being dislodged as speaker — took his marbles and went home,” Gaetz added.

According to Speaker Mike Johnson, Republicans aim to return the legislation to the floor again, when House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), who is undergoing treatment for cancer, will be present.