Rep. Rick Allen (R-GA) told Rep. Tom Emmer he needed to “get right with Jesus” for his vote to legalize gay marriage, according to reports.
Allen’s remarks came as Emmer worked to “get right” with members opposing his speakership, according to Punchbowl News.
Allen stated Emmer didn’t need to get right with him but needed to “get right with Jesus” for his vote for the Respect for Marriage Act, a bill creating federal protections for same-sex marriages.
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— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) October 24, 2023
Rep. RICK ALLEN, Georgia Republican, told TOM EMMER in close House GOP conference meeting that the Minnesota Republican didn't need to get right with him, he needed to "get right with Jesus" because Emmer supported gay marriage.
UNITED STATES – OCTOBER 10: Rep. Rick Allen, R-Ga., leaves a House Republican Conference candidate forum for speaker meeting in Longworth Building on Tuesday, October 10, 2023. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Only thirty-nine House Republicans, including Emmer, supported the legislation, which was signed into law last year by President Joe Biden.
Conservative groups lambasted the legislation for legalizing discrimination against Americans holding the traditional view that marriage is between a man and a woman.
Emmer won the Republican nomination for Speaker Tuesday by a narrow margin but withdrew only four hours later after 26 Republicans insisted they would not vote for him on the House floor.
President Donald Trump attacked Emmer Tuesday afternoon, calling him a “globalist RINO” and saying anyone voting for Emmer for Speaker would be making a “tragic mistake.”
Trump’s statement solidified Emmer’s opposition and may have led others to oppose him.
Breitbart News reached out to Allen’s spokesperson for comment but did not receive a response.
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