Staff Sergeant Corey Beekman is a Purple Heart recipient, an American hero, and a constituent of mine from Florida’s First District.
This morning, it was my distinct honor to introduce him to the House Judiciary Committee to lead us in the first Pledge of Allegiance. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/hhL2L6qNEt
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) February 1, 2023
This made many of the Democrats on the committee uneasy, and some came out in opposition to this new amendment.
One of which was Rep. David Cicilline of Rhode Island, who introduced an amendment barring those who supported “insurrection” against the government from leading the pledge.
While he probably had in mind Trump supporters who were skeptical of the 2020 election results, Gaetz was quick to reply that by that definition, there were several Democrats who were guilty of that as well, as they have refused to accept election results in the past.
I just introduced an amendment in the House Judiciary Committee to recite the Pledge of Allegiance before every meeting.
This is common sense. Why does patriotism make Democrats so heated? pic.twitter.com/Jl8E67vQdp
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) February 1, 2023
Meanwhile, Rep. Jerry Nadler of New York objected to the amendment on the grounds that he already had to recite the pledge on the House floor.
Unbelievable. @RepJerryNadler just said he opposes @RepMattGaetz‘s offer to say the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE before Judiciary Committee meetings. pic.twitter.com/ynaw3Wqoz6
— House Judiciary GOP (@JudiciaryGOP) February 1, 2023
Meanwhile, Republican Rep. Wesley Hunt of Texas came out in support of Gaetz’s amendment, saying that it was “necessary” to say the Pledge before meetings and expressing disgust at how it became a political issue.
Thank you @RepWesleyHunt for this terrific debate in support of my amendment to start our committee hearings with the Pledge of Allegiance!https://t.co/m8gAZ97dLDpic.twitter.com/ymZzM8qdn6
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) February 1, 2023
Gaetz did not introduce this amendment as a political stunt, he introduced it as a way to honor American heroes and to ensure that our elected officials remember their responsibilities to the nation.
Why are the Democrats so averse to patriotism? Perhaps it is because leftist cultural institutions are constantly telling us that America is an evil racist country.
We need to be able to restore national pride, and this amendment is a perfect way to do that. There is really no reason that this has to be a partisan issue.