Appearing on CNN on Wednesday, Joyce blasted Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who filed the motion to vacate, and others, accusing them of bringing the House to a halt while they scramble to find a new speaker. …

Asked by CNN’s Dana Bash if he was for kicking Gaetz and others out of the conference, Joyce said he was.

“If it was up to me, I’d vote for it,” he said. … “It’s a waste of time having conversations with these people and I think we need to start working and going forward as a unified group,” he said.

[An understandable reaction, perhaps, but it would mean handing the gavel to Hakeem Jeffries. Republicans only have a five-seat majority, so if they kick eight people out of the caucus, that means Democrats have a three-vote plurality, potentially. Does Joyce think that the Gaetz Eight would vote for a Republican speaker in that situation when they just sided with Democrats to sabotage the GOP? Come on, man; you’d better find a way to live together for another 15 months. — Ed]