Thursday, Florida Republican Rep Matt Gaetz addressed his fellow committee members:

“I want to extend a welcome to the new committee members. I’m grateful to be back on this august committee and I understand and appreciate the significance and importance of the work that we do."

"And I just think it would be nice in the spirit of national unity and national pride which I know we all aspire to do to a greater extent than at the beginning of each meeting the chair, or one of the designees of the chair, would have the opportunity to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance,” Gaetz said.

“We’re all aware that in these times it’s important for the country to see members of congress working together on some things and while I know we can deal with divisive issues in the committee, uh, it would be my hope we could start every committee with a great unifying, patriotic moment. I yield back,” Gaetz concluded.

Rep Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Chair of the House Judiciary Committee curtly stated, "Unnecessary." His spokesperson, has yet to make a comment on why he deemed this request, unnecesary.

https://twitter.com/RepMattGaetz/status/1357505617502568448?s=20

Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee mocked  Rep Gaetz, for proposing an amendment to say the Pledge of Allegiance before each hearing.

Prior to this statement, a staffer felt the need to remind the seasoned representatives,"So right now, everyone’s mic is hot and it is broadcasting online through Youtube. So just be keeping that in mind.”

Tennessee Democrat Rep. Steve Cohen seemingly initiated the mockery by saying,“I wake up in the morning and I pledge allegiance to the flag, I go outside regardless of the weather, I got my flag up by my house and I pledge allegiance.

“Then I get on my knees and I pray. If I do that, if I, do I have to, am I supposed to do it again and how many times a day should I do that?”

“I think you should do it at least every hour,” another  Democrat responds.

The sarcastic conversation continued with much laughing, ending with Cohen saying, "unbelievable," after asking Rep Pramila Jayapal to do something about this as head of the CPC.

Representative Cohen's Religious Life and Affiliations

Cohen's Rabbi Micah Greenstein, of Temple Israel, described prayer as an important part of spiritual, community, and political progress.

“Our mission statement is to be a force for good not only for the Jewish community but for the greater community,” Greenstein said in an interview.

“Our sanctuary is in a semi-circle because prayer has to lead to action,” the Rabbi said.

This mission and temple setup makes Cohen's actions even more abrasive. Despite being part of a strong community which participates in unifying prayer to progress community efforts, Cohen felt the need to engage in this type of divisive mockery when a colleague gently suggested saying the Pledge to help unify a broken Congress.