Cicilline spoke to supporters of the insurrection during a chaotic debate that lasted nearly an hour on Wednesday, starting with Gaetz’s proposal of an amendment that requires meetings to begin with the recitation of promises.
Rep. Jerry Nadler (DNY), the top Democrat on the panel, opposed Gaetz’s amendment and said members “swear allegiance every day on the floor.”
“I don’t understand why we have to take the pledge of allegiance twice on the same day to show how patriotic we are,” Nadler said.
Nadler later sidestepped accusations from Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) How often attended the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance on the floor of the House.
Cicilline then found a way to fire at Gaetz and several other members of the Republican committee who voted to cancel the 2020 presidential election with an “amendment amendment,” which he said promised that “it will not be led by individuals who support the rebellion against the US government in any way.”
“If we adopt this amendment, then we will be honestin representing that this promise is an affirmation of the defense of democracy and the Constitution,” said Cicilline.
Cicilline then confronted Gaetz, wanting to ensure that he would support the pledge proposal so that no one would make a “mockery” of the pledge.
The committee ultimately approved Gaetz’s amendment.