UPDATE: This article has been updated to reflect that Republican Alabama Rep. Mike Rogers is no longer planning to step down from the House Steering Committee.
Republican Alabama Rep. Mike Rogers walked back his pledge to step down from the House Steering Committee, days after he charged at Republican Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz during a late-night speaker vote.
“I have been surprised that an overwhelming number of members, both rank and file and leadership, have urged me to stay on Steering. Consequently, I plan to remain on Steering for the balance of this Congress,” Rogers told Politico.
ANNNND…ROGERS has changed his mind, plans to stay. He tells me:
“I have been surprised that an overwhelming number of members, both rank & file and leadership, have urged me to stay on Steering.
Consequently, I plan to remain on Steering for the balance of this Congress.” https://t.co/xUDtl1lfyb
— Olivia Beavers (@Olivia_Beavers) January 9, 2023
An eleven-term congressman and the newly elected chair of the House Armed Services Committee, Rogers angrily confronted Gaetz between the fourteenth and fifteenth speaker votes. Gaetz had voted “present” on the fourteenth ballot, forcing the lower chamber into another roll call vote. Between the votes, Rogers rushed at Gaetz and had to be held back by GOP North Carolina Rep. Richard Hudson. (RELATED: Alabama Rep Has To Be Physically Restrained In Confrontation With Matt Gaetz)
Rogers floated stepping down from the committee early Monday, according to Politico. Members of the committee, which doles out assignments to elected officials, are elected by region or selected by party leadership.
Rogers’ office did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller’s request for comment on his plan to step down.
A close ally of Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, Rogers reportedly threatened members who opposed the Californian’s speakership with a loss of committee assignments. The 21 GOP holdouts are not expected to lose committees over their move.
Gaetz said Sunday that he forgave Rogers for the floor outburst, telling Fox News that the Alabamian should not face “any punishment or reprisal.”
“Of course, in a late night moment of high drama, people can have moments of frustration. But Mike Rogers and I have a six-year, productive, working relationship. We’re going to work together wonderfully going forward,” Gaetz said.
“Matt Gaetz and I have a long and productive working relationship, that I am sure will continue. I regret that I briefly lost my temper on the House Floor Friday evening and appreciate Matt’s kind understanding,” Rogers responded on Twitter.