‘Bring it On!’ McCarthy Fires Back After Gaetz Announces His Rebellion

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) maintained a defiant posture after Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) announced plans to come after him.

In an interview on Face the Nation Sunday, the Speaker was confronted about Gaetz’s rebellion by anchor Margaret Brennan.

“He’s going to try to oust you as speaker of the House.”

McCarthy brushed it off.

“That’s nothing new,” he said. “He’s tried to do that from the moment I ran for office.”

Gaetz was one of the most public opponents of McCarthy initially claiming the Speakers’ gavel back in January. It took 15 ballots before the California congressman finally prevailed.

“This time he says he’s going to keep going,” said Brennan, who added, “Can you survive?”

Here’s how McCarthy responded:

I’ll survive. You know, this is personal with Matt. Matt voted against the most conservative ability to protect our border, secure our border. He’s more interested in securing TV interviews than doing something. He wanted to push us into a shutdown, even threatening his own district with all the military people there who would not be paid. Only because he wants to take this motion, so be it. Bring it on! Let’s get over with it and let’s start governing. If he’s upset because he tried to push us in a shutdown and I made sure government didn’t shut down, then let’s have that fight.”

Watch above, via CBS.