(Molly Bruns, Headline USA) Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., threw his hat into the House Speaker race and recently picked up more support after announcing his intention to release the footage from the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol Hill protest.
Donalds stated priorities are securing America’s southern border, expanding Republican majorities and unifying the House with a “fresh voice in leadership,” according to an interview on Fox News.
The representative also called out the Biden administration for their lax policy approach towards the southern border. Additionally, he announced his support for Israel.
Donalds questioned America’s end goal regarding funding for Ukraine.
“Joe Biden’s presidency has not been good for the American people. They know that in spite of the impasse in House leadership,” Donalds concluded. “I think we’re going to get back to work, I think that we’re going to demonstrate what conservative leadership in the House of Representatives, and we’re going to be just fine in 2024.”
Donalds recently received an endorsement from his colleague, Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., explaining that he’s someone who can “unify all factions in the Republican Party.”
🚨BREAKING: I am proud to endorse my friend, fellow Floridian, and America First Republican Byron Donalds for Speaker of the House.
Byron is the conservative leader we need to unite us as Republicans. pic.twitter.com/4NMjcm5GAU
— Rep. Carlos A. Gimenez (@RepCarlos) October 22, 2023
Fellow Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz opposed Donalds’ run for the Speaker seat after he lent his support to an expensive omnibus bill negotiated by Reps. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.
Gaetz claimed that the bill funded Jack Smith’s election interference, funded Ukraine and led to no productive reforms.
Donalds is one of nine candidates for the speaker seat. The other candidates are House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, Republican Conference Vice Chair Mike Johnson, RSC Chair Kevin Hern Okla., Austin Scott, Ga., Jack Bergman Mich., Pete Sessions Texas, Gary Palmer, Ala., and Dan Meuser, Pa.
Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., endorsed Emmer for the position.
Rep. Jim Jordan ran for the speaker seat, lost the initial votes and bowed out of the race.
