'Undecided' GOP rep won’t back Scalise until he says the '2020 presidential election was not stolen'

During Wednesday’s episode of MSNBC's Katy Tur Reports, United States Representative Ken Buck (R-CO) explained his current position on his fellow Republican colleagues' decision to nominate U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) for House Speaker.

When Buck noted that he placed a vote for neither Scalise,nor U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) by remaining "undecided," Tur asked the Colorado GOP lawmaker, "So when [Scalise] meets with you, what are you going to tell him?"

Buck replied "Well, I have three issues that I want to know about. I asked last night, 'Will you unequivocally and publicly state that the election, the 2020 presidential election was not stolen?' He didn't answer that question very clearly, and Jim Jordan didn't answer that question very clearly. The second issue I have is, 'What is the spending number that we're all going to agree on?' It doesn't have to be my number, but I think if we're going to go and move forward with appropriations bills, we need to know what the number is. And the third question I had is, 'Will you put Ukraine funding on the floor?' I understand that he wants to see a plan from President Biden, but even if the plan doesn't meet his expectations, will he put the vote on the floor so that rest of us can vote on that issue?"

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Tur said, "Why don't you think they're going to commit to — I mean, the other two spending numbers has got to be negotiated so I can understand the delay to get you that. Ukraine funding on the floor, there's obviously so much division — something as simple as saying the 2020 election wasn't stolen — why don't you think neither one of those gentlemen can't commit to that?"

The GOP lawmaker replied, "I think there's a large group of [ex-President Donald] Trump followers in this country would disagree with that, and there would be a political penalty for saying such a thing."

Tur said, "Got it. When do you expect there to be a vote for Speaker?"

Buck answered, "I expect there to be a vote for speaker when Steve Scalise gets to 117 and not a moment before."

The congressman went on to say he thinks the GOP will have a vote on the floor by "tonight or tomorrow."

When Tur asked how he feels about the current "state of the party" right now, Buck said, "You know, I feel a lot better than I did last week, honestly. I think getting everybody into one room, and feeding everybody and talking about the necessity for unity was really effective, and I think people will come together behind Steve Scalise."

Tur replied, "Congressman Ken Buck, thank you very much, and let us remind Steve Scalise as he meets with you: You want to know the 2020 was not stolen — for him to say it. You want a spending number, and you want a promise to bring Ukraine funding to the floor."

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GOP rep won't vote for Scalise unless he says the 2020 election wasn't stolenyoutu.be

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