The House Judiciary Committee held its first hearing Wednesday since Republicans took control of the lower chamber of Congress, ostensibly to discuss the U.S.-Mexico border, but it quickly devolved into an attempt by Republicans on the committee to prove they’re more patriotic than their Democratic colleagues.
Business Insider reports that committee member Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) recommended a change of the Judiciary Committee’s rules which would mandate beginning each meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Rep. Gerry Nadler (D-NY) the ranking Democrat on the committee rightly noted why he felt no such change was needed, remarking:
“I would oppose it simply on the grounds that, as members know, we pledge allegiance everyday on the floor,” said Rep. Jerry Nadler of New York, the highest-ranking Democrat on the panel. “And I don’t know why we should pledge allegiance twice in the same day to show how patriotic we are.”
That led Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) to suggest that language should be added to the amendment that would specifically ban insurrectionists from leading the pledge, an obvious dig at Gaetz and committee chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH). Gaetz sought a pardon from failed one-term former president Donald Trump for his role in the January 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection and Jordan was in contact with Trump via telephone prior to and during the attack on Congress.
Cicilline explained his rationale:
“If we adopt this amendment, then we will be truthful in representing that stating this pledge is an affirmation of your defense of democracy and the Constitution. It’s hard to take that claim seriously, if in fact, an individual who in any way supported an insurrection against the government of the United States is allowed to lead the pledge.”
Cicilline’s amendment didn’t pass. Gaetz’s did. But the Rhode Island Democrat still managed to make his point and troll his GOP colleagues to their faces.
