Things are getting heated and a little insane as Congress fights over who should be the next speaker. While it does all seem a little ridiculous I want to take a comment and recognize something good that happened. R-Chip Roy broke tensions by recognizing a historical moment in history and in doing so he received a standing ovation from both sides.
Chip Roy’s remarks on the House floor on Wednesday praising both Representative-elect Byron Donalds, R-Fla., and Representative-elect Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., highlighted a rare moment of reconciliation in an otherwise contentious legislative vote for speaker.
Roy complimented Donalds’ character and upbringing as a single mother’s kid who discovered God at the age of 21 and has since dedicated himself to fighting for his family and his nation. At the same time, he recognized Donalds’ nomination as a watershed moment: for the first time in history, two Black Americans are running for Speaker of the House.
Roy further stated that race should not be taken into account while considering nominations, but rather “the content of people’s character.” He contends that Donalds would provide much-needed change to Congress by better portraying Americans outside of Washington, DC, a viewpoint that many conservative lawmakers now share.
“We do not seek to judge people by the color of their skin, but rather the content of their character,” Roy said. “Byron Donalds is a good man — raised by a single mom, moved past diversity, became a Christian man at the age of 21, and has devoted his life to advancing the cause for his family and this country. And he has done it admirably.”
“But there’s an important reason for nominating Byron, and that is this country needs a change,” he said. “This country needs leadership that does not reflect this city, this town, that is badly broken.”
“Broken” is damn right.
McCarthy was positioned to take Pelosi’s old chair but it’s defiantly looking like he might not get it as lawmakers struggle to agree on anything. I have to admit it was nice to see Roy get the room to change it’s the tune, even if only for a moment.