Spartz Issues Statement on Jim Jordan Vote

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Victoria Spartz (IN-05) issued the following statement on the speaker vote:

Since politics is complicated with many things happening behind the scenes, I owe my constituents and all Americans an explanation of my position on the current situation with the speaker’s race.

I dedicated most of my adult life to Republican politics, since my kids were in strollers, and probably more energy to it than to family and businesses. Therefore, I care dearly for my party to lead and succeed for the American people against a very powerful and oppressive Democrat machine.

I did vote for Kevin McCarthy, reluctantly, in January after moving to “present” to express my dissatisfaction when he tried to intimidate conservatives on the floor into voting for him. I also reluctantly decided not to vacate him regardless of how I felt about his policy failures. I did not support Steve Scalise in conference, but publicly said I would support him on the first vote if goes to the floor. I also asked Steve not to act tyrannically as Kevin did if he cannot get the vote in conference, which he graciously did.

I voted to support Jim Jordan in conference, but what happened Friday night is not acceptable. After undermining Steve and appearing to make some kind of a deal with Jim, Kevin forced the conference to adjourn and announced that Jim Jordan was going to be our speaker next week. Unfortunately, Jim did not object to Kevin, as also on a few other occasions as the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee.

I hate to remind Kevin, but we fought a war not to have kings with successors. I am willing to give Jim another chance and assess his wisdom of governing to allow conference, not floor, deliberation on his nomination to proceed tomorrow as he promised during the conference debate.

I would also like to remind Jim that Republicans are not sheep and will refuse to support him if he will try to use the same McCarthy intimidation techniques on members on the floor, even if I have to run again, so McCarthy and his friends have a chance to primary me. 

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