Sitting down in front on the floor of the United States Congress, U.S. Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. (D-10) told InsiderNJ that Byron Donalds is the new Herschel Walker.

Payne, who represents Newark, has voted seven times for U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries for speaker, along with the rest of his Democratic colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives.

On the other side of the aisle, 19 Republicans continue to support U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida, preventing U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy from obtaining the 218 votes he needs to secure the speakership.

“This reminds me of the age- old question: what is the definition of insanity?” said Payne, referring to the fractured GOP’s repeated unsuccessful efforts to get McCarthy across the line.

“Both factions in the Republican caucus have dug their heels in,” said Payne. “McCarthy in his arrogance and ego will not relent and the freedom caucus refuses to vote for Mr. McCarthy.”

Payne likened Donalds to Hershel Walker, the former NFL star who narrowly failed last year in his Donald Trump-infused bid for a U.S. Senate seat in Georgia.

“Byron Donalds is being used by the Republican caucus,” said Payne. “He is their new Herschel Walker. [It’s] very sad because he doesn’t realize it or wants to fit in so bad that he is ignoring it.”

Boosted by the right wing of his party, Walker managed to secure 48.6% of the general election vote in Georgia last year to 51.4% for U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.)

[Top photo of Congressman Payne taken by InsiderNJ’s Bob Hennelly]