New book details the moment a GOP lawmaker appeared to lunge at Matt Gaetz

It was 1 of the astir rambunctious scenes to unfold connected the level of the House of Representatives successful modern history. 

In the 14th circular of voting to elite a caller talker of the House connected Jan. 6, 2023, Rep. Mike Rogers of Alabama appeared to lunge toward his chap Republican, then-Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida. In an evident effort to restrain his workfellow and debar a televised combat successful the mediate of a legislature session, a 3rd GOP lawmaker — Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina — clawed astatine Rogers' face, holding him back.

New details connected the confrontation — which came precocious astatine night, aft much than a twelve failed votes successful the astir protracted and divisive House talker predetermination successful decades — are recounted successful a publication by John Leganski. The longtime legislature adjutant managed the House level for the antheral who was yet elected speaker, Kevin McCarthy.

Gaetz was the main agitator among a radical of six far-right Republicans intent connected keeping McCarthy from the gavel. Over the people of four days, the holdouts forced ballot aft ballot portion demanding that McCarthy marque assorted concessions.

Earlier successful the time connected Jan. 6, Gaetz had demanded helium beryllium named seat of a subcommittee connected the Armed Services Committee. Rogers was successful enactment to seat the equipped services panel.

Rebuffed, Gaetz suggested allowing members to permission for the play and reconvene aft that. Aware that passing clip tin let caller problems to arise, McCarthy's squad refused.

In the moments starring up to the altercation with Rogers, Gaetz voted "present" connected the 14th ballot for talker astatine astir 11 p.m. McCarthy urged Gaetz to assistance him implicit the decorativeness enactment truthful members could get location to their idiosyncratic obligations, suggesting their colleagues were missing household and wellness emergencies.

"I don't deliberation you understand," Gaetz said, blaming McCarthy's unit for failing to hold consequent voting until Monday, according to Leganski. "That does not interest maine whatsoever. Personal appeals person nary effect connected me."

As Gaetz yelled backmost and distant with McCarthy's apical level lieutenant astir the scheduling of the vote, Rogers approached Gaetz.

"Matt, I won't hide this," helium yelled. "You perceive me?"

It was astatine that instant that Hudson grabbed Rogers, and inactive photographers captured the singular scene.

Rep. Richard Hudson pulls Rep. Mike Rogers backmost from erstwhile Rep. Matt Gaetz connected Jan. 6, 2023. Andrew Harnik / AP

In the aftermath, Rep. Clay Higgins of Louisiana wept, and Rep. Morgan Luttrell of Texas stared astatine Gaetz portion reciting the Rosary. Meanwhile, McCarthy's allies were already strategizing, hoping a seasoned Democrat, specified arsenic Rep. Marcy Kaptur of Ohio, would beryllium moved capable by the play connected the level to broadside with Republicans and propulsion McCarthy through.

As a ballot to adjourn neared, Gaetz walked to McCarthy. "We're good," helium said. "We'll bash it tonight."

Later that night, McCarthy was elected speaker.

Gaetz offered his forgiveness to Rogers 2 days later, and Rogers apologized successful a station connected X, penning that helium "briefly mislaid [his] temper."

CBS News has reached retired to Gaetz and Rogers for comment.

McCarthy became talker aft Republicans won power of the House successful the 2022 midterms. But with a constrictive majority, his clip successful the relation was volatile — and short-lived. In October 2023, little than 9 months aft McCarthy was archetypal elected, the House voted to region him arsenic speaker, with Gaetz starring the complaint again.

The conversations connected the House level successful January 2023 connection a presumption into the interior workings of and petty feuds successful Congress that are seldom seen by the public.

The publication "Glory, Grief, and the Gavel" is written by Leganski, who worked his mode up successful McCarthy's bureau from intern to lawman main of unit for level operations implicit the people of a decade. He was a apical advisor to McCarthy successful his quest to go talker and sat by his broadside for the last tally of the 15th ballot that won McCarthy the gavel.

In the book, Leganski offers a rare, unfettered relationship of what goes into becoming talker of the House, and takes digs astatine enemies. Due to beryllium released Tuesday, it was obtained aboriginal by CBS News.