Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida proposed an amendment to the House Judiciary Committee’s rules mandating that each hearing begin with the recital of the Pledge of Allegiance. However, many of his Democratic colleagues opposed this proposal.

Staff Sergeant Corey Beekman, a Purple Heart recipient from Gaetz’s district, led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance to open the committee’s first meeting on Wednesday.

Staff Sergeant Corey Beekman is a Purple Heart recipient, an American hero, and a constituent of mine from Florida’s First District.

This morning, it was my distinct honor to introduce him to the House Judiciary Committee to lead us in the first Pledge of Allegiance. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/hhL2L6qNEt

— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) February 1, 2023

Gaetz then proposed that an amendment be introduced to the committee’s rules mandating that all committee meetings begin with the Pledge, in order to commemorate American heroes by inviting them to lead the pledge prior to meetings.

This made many of the Democrats on the committee unhappy, and some came out in opposition to this new amendment.

Rep. David Cicilline of Rhode Island was one of them; he proposed an amendment prohibiting people who favor “insurrection” against the government from leading the pledge.

While he probably had in mind Trump supporters who were doubtful of the 2020 election results, Gaetz was quick to add that by that definition, there were numerous Democrats who were guilty of that as well, as they have refused to recognize election outcomes in the past.

I just introduced an amendment in the House Judiciary Committee to recite the Pledge of Allegiance before every meeting.

This is common sense. Why does patriotism make Democrats so heated? pic.twitter.com/Jl8E67vQdp

— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) February 1, 2023

In the meantime, New York Representative Jerry Nadler objected to the amendment on the grounds that he was already required to repeat the commitment on the House floor.

Unbelievable. @RepJerryNadler just said he opposes @RepMattGaetz's offer to say the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE before Judiciary Committee meetings. pic.twitter.com/ynaw3Wqoz6

— House Judiciary GOP (@JudiciaryGOP) February 1, 2023

This is an incredibly weak explanation. All elected officials need to be reminded before they carry out their business that their role is to serve the American people. A fantastic method to guarantee that they never lose sight of their duty is to recite the promise before every meeting.

Meanwhile, Republican Rep. Wesley Hunt of Texas came out in support of Gaetz’s amendment, saying that it was “necessary” to say the Pledge before meetings and expressing dismay at how it became a political issue.

Thank you @RepWesleyHunt for this terrific debate in support of my amendment to start our committee hearings with the Pledge of Allegiance!https://t.co/m8gAZ97dLD pic.twitter.com/ymZzM8qdn6

— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) February 1, 2023

More on this story via The Western Journal:

This begs the issue of why so many Democrats oppose this straightforward act of patriotism.CONTINUE READING…