House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler shut down Republican Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz’s request to have the committee recite the pledge of allegiance at the beginning of hearings.
During the hearing on new house rules, Gaetz put in a request to recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of each hearing to which Nadler responded by saying it is “unnecessary.” Gaetz mentioned that he thought it would be a nice unifying and patriotic act.
“I want to extend a welcome to the new committee members. I’m grateful to be back on this august committee and I understand and appreciate the significance and importance of the work that we do. And I just think it would be nice in the spirit of national unity and national pride which I know we all aspire to do to a greater extent than at the beginning of each meeting the chair, or one of the designees of the chair, would have the opportunity to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance,” Gaetz said.
“We’re all aware that in these times it’s important for the country to see members of congress working together on some things and while I know we can deal with divisive issues in the committee, uh, it would be my hope we could start every committee with a great unifying, patriotic moment. I yield back,” Gaetz concluded.
WATCH:
HAPPENING NOW: @RepMattGaetz just requested that the Judiciary Committee recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of each hearing. @RepJerryNadler said it was “unnecessary.”
Why don’t Democrats want to say the Pledge? pic.twitter.com/RMdbg5TAMU
— House Judiciary GOP (@JudiciaryGOP) February 4, 2021
Nadler responded by saying: “And the gentleman yields back. I recognize myself to speak in opposition to the amendment. It’s unnecessary.” (RELATED: ‘No Insurrectionists Stormed Our Hallway’: Rep. Mace Slams Media Over Coverage Of Ocasio-Cortez’s Capitol Riot Story)
Nadler’s office did not immediately respond when asked why he opposed the request.