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Kevin McCarthy

January 27, 2023

GOP Congresswoman Shreds McCarthy: ‘Start Governing for a Change’

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY…
1973: U.S. & North Vietnam’s William Rogers & Nguyen Duy Trinh sign cease-fire, ending the longest U.S. war and military draft.

Rep. Victoria Spartz laid into House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, saying he needs to stop engaging in political spats with Democrats and start focusing on the American people.

The Indiana Republican’s words come in response to McCarthy’s pledge to remove Democratic Reps. Eric Swalwell, Adam Schiff, and Ilhan Omar from their committee assignments.

Spartz released a statement to oppose the action, calling on McCarthy to stop the “bread and circuses” with his colleagues in Congress and to “start governing for a change.”

Two wrongs do not make a right. Speaker Pelosi took unprecedented actions last Congress to remove Reps. Greene and Gosar from their committees without proper due process. Speaker McCarthy is taking unprecedented actions this Congress to deny some committee assignments to the Minority without proper due process again. As I spoke against it on the House floor two years ago, I will not support this charade again. Speaker McCarthy needs to stop “bread and circuses” in Congress and start governing for a change.

The phrase “bread and circuses” originates from a Latin expression that refers to how the ruling class would provide the masses with superficial means to appease them, while distracting them from larger problems.

Source: Mediaite

By T. Thompson
January 14, 2023

Kinzinger Calls McCarthy a “Piece of Sh*t”

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY…
1784: U.S. Congress of the Confederation ratifies the Treaty of Paris, signed September 3, 1783, ending the Revolutionary War, and forwards it to Great Britain.

Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) unloaded in a new interview this week, calling House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) a “piece of shit” who says “whatever he needs to say to stay in power.

During a recent episode of “The Bulwark” podcast, Kinzinger and host Charlie Sykes discussed McCarthy’s tumultuous attempts to nab the speakership last week, previewing what to expect with the new Congress.

Kinzinger opted not to seek re-election, bringing his time in Congress to a close after his sixth term, which ended last week.

The former congressman said the GOP’s more radical members have been positioned for political gains, specifying Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), who supported McCarthy’s speakership bid.

“They end up getting better assignments,” Kinzinger said. “If you actually are an a**hole … you actually will come out being the person that they pursue more.”

Kinzinger expressed doubt that McCarthy, who he called a “piece of sh*t,” would remove controversial Rep. George Santos (R-NY) from his committee assignments due to the GOP’s slim majority in the House.

Kinzinger said it was a “fact” that McCarthy would “say whatever he needs to say to stay in power.”

The comments come as Santos faces continued scrutiny for fabricating large parts of his personal, professional, and educational background.

On Thursday, McCarthy defended Santos against those calling for his resignation or removal, but acknowledged that he has “a long way to go to earn trust.”

“Tons of people can exaggerate, you know, parts of their resume. It’s different than making up a whole new life,” Kinzinger said.

Source: Axios

By T. Thompson
January 6, 2023

WATCH: Voices Raised and Obscenities Hurled During Tense House GOP Meeting

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY…
1941: U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt makes his “Four Freedoms” speech (freedom of speech and worship; freedom from want and fear) during his State of Union address.

Tensions rose during a meeting between Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives this week as the party determined the next House Speaker.

Current House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) reasserted his competence for the role of Speaker to his colleagues who oppose him. CNN’s Chief Congressional Correspondent Manu Raju, who was present on Capitol Hill, said McCarthy raised his voice and exclaimed, “I have earned this job!”

Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) responded: “Bulls—t!”

The decision over who to vote for as House Speaker has caused a rift within the GOP, but Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) said that McCarthy’s supporters will be “more stubborn” than his detractors.

“This handful of members are very clearly looking for notoriety over principle,” Crenshaw told Raju. “And anyone who suggests differently is in some kind of make-believe fantasy reality.”

Crenshaw continued, saying that, “they lost those debates, and that should’ve been the end of it.” But, “if you’re a narcissist and you believe your opinion is so much more important than everyone else’s and you’ll threaten to test down the team for the benefit of the Democrats just because of your own sense of self-importance.”

“We will not vote for anyone else other than McCarthy,” Crenshaw said. “These people think they’re stubborn; we’re more stubborn.”

“They are enemies now. They have made it clear they prefer a Democrat agenda over a Republican one,” he said.

Ultimately, the House GOP was unable to elect a new speaker on Tuesday. McCarthy failed to secure the 218 votes he needed to secure the top job in the chamber. It marked the first time in a century that a speaker wasn’t elected on the first round, according to USA Today.

Lawmakers returned to the Capitol on Wednesday, where McCarthy lost a fourth bid to become Speaker of the House.

What now?

The plan is for members to vote again, and again, if necessary. But if there’s no resolution, the voting could go on for days, weeks, or months.

The situation has left the chamber in limbo, as no new House member can be sworn in and no rules can be adopted until a speaker is selected.

Sources: AlterNet | USA Today

By T. Thompson
November 3, 2022

Report: Biden Shouted at Zelensky During Tense Phone Call

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY…
1970: U.S. President Richard Nixon promises gradual troop withdrawal from Vietnam.

President Joe Biden lost his temper and shouted at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a tense phone call in June, NBC News reported.

The heated exchange reportedly came during a June 15 call, wherein Biden informed Zelensky that he had secured $1 billion in military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine. But Zelensky showed an insufficient amount of gratitude, opting to immediately start listing more things Ukraine needed.

At that point, Biden raised his voice, telling Zelensky that American people were already being very generous, according to the report.

White House officials said that the pair’s relationship has improved since the phone call. Not long after the exchange, Zelensky issued a video statement thanking the U.S. for its ample help.

“I had an important conversation with U.S. President Biden today,” Zelensky said in the video. “I am grateful for this support.”

One source familiar with the conversation told the outlet that Biden was direct with the Ukrainian president, but denied that the exchange was hostile or heated.

The report comes as additional funding for Ukraine is shrouded by uncertainty from lawmakers. Congressional Republicans are skeptical about the efficacy of Biden’s “blank check” to Zelensky, especially as Americans continue to face financial uncertainty.

“I think people are gonna be sitting in a recession and they’re not going to write a blank check to Ukraine,” House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) said last month. “They just won’t do it. … It’s not a free blank check.”

McCarthy later clarified that while the Ukraine remains an important issue for him and the U.S., “there should be no blank check on anything. We are $31 trillion in debt.”

Late last month, Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) pushed back against rumors that Republicans want to stop sending aid to Ukraine entirely.

“No one in Republican leadership has called for an end to aid for Ukraine,” Turner said. “People on the Republican side are saying, ‘Why do we have to pass a $40 billion package to send $8 billion to Ukraine?’”

Sources: NBC News | Fox News

By T. Thompson
August 15, 2022

Democrats Score Huge Legislative Victory Ahead of Midterms

The $740 billion Inflation Reduction Act is headed to President Joe Biden’s desk, signaling a big win for the Democrats ahead of the midterm elections.

The sweeping tax, climate, and health care bill passed through the House of Representatives in a 220-207 party-line vote, with every Democrat voting in favor and four Republicans not voting.

The House passage came just four days after the bill passed through the Senate in another party-line vote, wherein Vice President Kamala Harris cast the tie-breaking vote.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said the Inflation Reduction Act “saves the planet while keeping more money in your pockets.”

“This bill, the Inflation Reduction Act, a package for the people, increases the leverage of the public interest over the special interests and expands health and financial security now and for generations to come,” Pelosi said.

Senate Democrats have been negotiating the package for more than a year, The Hill reported.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) had argued against the bill in a 50-minute speech on Friday, calling it “misguided.”

“Democrats, more than any other majority in history, are addicted to spending other people’s money, regardless of what we as a country can afford,” McCarthy said from the House floor.

“Today, now they are choosing to end the session by spending half-a-trillion dollars more of your money, raising taxes on the middle class, and giving handouts to their liberal allies.” 

Source: The Hill

By T. Thompson
August 9, 2022

WATCH: Gaetz Says McCarthy “Should Not Be the Leader”

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) slammed House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), saying he “should not be the leader of the Republican Conference.”

Gaetz’s comments came during an episode of Steve Bannon’s War Room podcast, recorded live from the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Saturday.

“If anyone posits to be the leader of our party and our movement, they cannot stand for the swamp, and the establishment, and the bureaucratic permanent state,” said the congressman.

“They have to stand with us in exposing these issues. And if Kevin McCarthy will not allow us to be able to find out the answers, he should not be the leader of the Republican conference.”

“What do you guys think about that?” Bannon asked the crowd, who responded with cheers.

Bannon posited that Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) should replace McCarthy as the GOP’s leader.

“Do we want Jim Jordan?” Bannon asked the crowd.

Gaetz and Bannon weren’t the only ones to speak out against McCarthy during CPAC.

“We will not tolerate another GOP speaker that works with Democrats more than Republicans,” said Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) during a speech on Saturday.

By T. Thompson
June 25, 2022

House Passes Sweeping Gun Control Bill

The House of Representatives voted 234-193 to pass the most sweeping gun control legislation in nearly 30 years on Friday.

The “Bipartisan Safer Communities Act” is now headed to President Joe Biden’s desk, where it will likely become law. The bill includes enhanced background checks, increased mental health and school safety funding, incentives for states to implement “red flag” laws, and limits the so-called “boyfriend loophole,” preventing domestic abusers from purchasing guns regardless of marital status.

“As I say to members all the time with legislation — do not judge it for what isn’t in it, but respect it for what is. And there’s much to be respected in this legislation,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said ahead of the vote.

“To those who lacked the courage to join in this work, I say your political survival is insignificant compared to the survival of our children,” she added.

While 14 House Republicans joined Democrats in voting in favor of the bill, many opposed the measure, including Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).

“We must not have knee-jerk reactions in how the federal government approaches red flag laws, where Congress strong-arms states into passing laws that may violate the Second Amendment and deprive citizens their right to due process,” McCarthy told The Federalist earlier this week.

By T. Thompson
June 8, 2022

Trump Endorses Kevin McCarthy

Former President Donald Trump endorsed Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), calling him “an outstanding Representative for the people of California.”

“In Congress, Kevin is a tireless advocate for the people of Bakersfield and the Central Valley. He is working incredibly hard to Stop Inflation, Deliver Water Solutions, and Hold Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi Accountable for their catastrophic failures and dereliction of duty,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. “Kevin McCarthy has my Complete and Total Endorsement.”

However, some of Trump’s supporters didn’t share his enthusiasm for McCarthy.

One Twitter user said the endorsement showed that the former president is off-base, adding, “The people that supported Mr. Trump do not support McCarthy.”

Others indicated they didn’t find McCarthy trustworthy, calling him a “RINO.”

By T. Thompson
May 13, 2022

Jan. 6 Panel Subpoenas 5 GOP Lawmakers

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY…
1934: Great dustbowl storm sweeps across US prairies.

The House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot has issued subpoenas to five Republican lawmakers, including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).

The other members of Congress to receive subpoenas were Reps. Scott Perry (R-PA), Jim Jordan (R-OH), Andy Biggs (R-AZ), and Mo Brooks (R-AL).

The panel’s chairman, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), said the lawmakers “have information relevant to our investigation into the attack on January 6th and the events leading up to it.”

The committee is slated to begin its public hearings next month.

“Before we hold our hearings next month, we [had] wished to provide members the opportunity to discuss these matters with the committee voluntarily. Regrettably, the individuals receiving subpoenas today have refused, and we’re forced to take this step to help ensure the committee uncovers facts concerning January 6th,” Thompson said.

“We urge our colleagues to comply with the law, do their patriotic duty, and cooperate with our investigation as hundreds of other witnesses have done.”

Perry issued a statement in response to the subpoena, calling it the committee’s “latest charade.”

“That this illegitimate body leaked their latest charade to the media ahead of contacting targeted Members is proof positive once again that this political witch hunt is about fabricating headlines and distracting Americans from their abysmal record of running America into the ground,” Perry said.

Source:

Jan. 6 panel issues subpoenas to five GOP lawmakers

By T. Thompson
April 29, 2022

4 GOP Lawmakers Targeted By McCarthy in Newly Leaked Audio

Newly leaked audio recordings of House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) reveal that he staunchly criticized some of his colleagues in the wake of the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot.

The unearthed comments have landed McCarthy in hot water with his contemporaries, with some questioning his leadership.

Here are the four GOP lawmakers that McCarthy specifically called out in the recordings, taken from a call with House GOP leaders on Jan. 10, 2021:

1. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL)

McCarthy said Gaetz’s remarks were “putting people in jeopardy.”

“He [Gaetz] doesn’t need to be doing this,” McCarthy said. “We saw what people would do in the Capitol, you know, and these people came prepared with rope, with everything else.”

2. Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL)

At the rally that preceded the riot, Brooks said “today is the day American patriots start taking down names and kicking ass.”

“You think the president deserves to be impeached? Well his comments, that’s almost something that goes further than what the president said,” McCarthy said on the call.

3. Rep. Barry Moore (R-AL)

The GOP leaders on the call expressed concerns over tweets Moore wrote in the wake of the Jan. 6 incident.

“Can’t they take their Twitter accounts away too?” McCarthy said.

4. Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX)

McCarthy and House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) discussed remarks Gohmert made in the lead up to the incident.

“And Louie said, like, we need to fight or something, right? Didn’t he say something a couple days out that was horrendous?” McCarthy said.

“There was something like that, yes. It was incendiary,” Scalise said.

After discussing the comments from both Brooks and Gohmert, McCarthy said, “Our members have got to start paying attention to what they say, too, and you can’t put up with that type of sh*t.”

Source:

Here are the GOP lawmakers targeted by McCarthy in new audio recordings

By T. Thompson
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