Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) floated the idea of leftist Democrats and populist conservatives in the House working together on foreign policy issues during an exclusive interview he gave to the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Gaetz’s suggestion came after he sponsored H. Con. Res. 30, which seeks to bring U.S. Military troops home from Somalia. The resolution was ultimately shot down on April 27 in a 102-321 vote, with supporters and detractors on both sides of the aisle.
“The future of Somalia must be determined by Somalia,” Gaetz reportedly proclaimed on the House floor just before the vote. “I would argue that the African Union is far better positioned to build a stronger sense of national identity and national unity among clans that have been warring in Somalia for generations than U.S. troops.”
Joining the Florida congressman in backing the proposal was Rep. Luna (R-FL), Rep. Gosar (R-AZ), Rep. Greene (R-GA) and Rep. Biggs (R-AZ).
During his time with the Daily Caller, Gaetz indicated that he was grateful for the support of several Democrats who voted to pass his bill, including members of “the Squad,” a group of far-left representatives he has spoken out against in the past.
“[W]hile we disagree strongly on a variety of issues, I think there should be greater connectivity between the anti-war right and the anti-war left,” Gaetz explained, specifically mentioning Reps. Ro Khanna (D-CA), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), and Ilhan Omar (D-MN) as his advisers on his recent measure. “I am grateful for the advice that I’ve gotten from [them on] war powers bills.”
The Daily Caller reported that Gaetz would not confirm whether or not the two groups would join forces to create a formal House caucus.
Just Foreign Policy shared a video on social media showing Omar expressing her support for Gaetz’s resolution and urging her fellow politicians to do the same.
WATCH: @Ilhan urges support for @RepMattGaetz' Somalia War Powers Res., citing the "long enough timeline to ensure the operations that we are partnering with can be ended responsibly."
"I, and many Somali Americans, support this resolution"
"I urge my colleagues to do the same" https://t.co/rfKKgWxVUQ pic.twitter.com/HTfroSyi4c
— Just Foreign Policy (@justfp) April 27, 2023
Gaetz opined that he wishes more of the Democrats would subscribe to the opinions of representatives such as Khanna on foreign policy.
It's time to close the book on forever wars and rethink our foreign policy. America needs help at home more than ever. https://t.co/Ilq2gIgpvp
— Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) January 3, 2021
The Florida Congressman has been a longtime advocate against many Washington-backed wars.
“I sometimes feel as though I’m waging a forever war against forever wars,” he said.
