The remarks, confirmed to NBC News by two sources in a closed-door meeting, reflect renewed tension within the House Republican ranks as a government shutdown looms.
Frustration boiled over in a closed-door House GOP meeting Thursday morning when Speaker Kevin McCarthy all but dared his detractors to file the “motion to vacate” the speaker’s chair and try to remove him.
In the meeting, McCarthy told House Republicans, “If you want to file a motion to vacate, then file the f—ing motion,” according to two sources in the room who confirmed the comments to NBC News.
It was a nod to members including Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., and others who are threatening to force him out of the speakership if he doesn’t comply with their demands, like putting certain bills on the floor and not passing a stopgap bill to prevent a government shutdown at the end of the month.
People with spines usually don’t need to say things behind closed doors.
Closed to press not those he was talking to. Granted he should have called their bluff ages ago because really what are they going to do? They dont have the votes to oust him and there is no viable alternaitve. This whole thing is a dick measuring contest and McCarthy finally brought out calipers.
They absolutely do have the votes to oust him. Every Democrat can be relied on to vote for vacating, so all it takes is five Freedom Caucus nutjobs to do it.
The reason they haven’t yet is there is no plan for what happens next. The nutjobs don’t have support to get one of their own to be Speaker. It would probably result in a more moderate Republican getting chosen, particularly if that person brokers some support from Democrats in exchange for sticking to the debt ceiling deal.
I rather doubt that’s true. If for no other reason than helping the Freedom Caucus vacate the Speakers Chair would almost certainly guarantee a Government Shutdown on 10/1.
… which they can then blame directly on Republicans.
And in the meantime, they can start to float conservative Republican candidates for Speaker who they would be willing to support. If one of those wins, now the power of the Freedom Caucus is greatly diminished, because the Speaker no longer owes their job to them.
History shows voters aren’t dumb and tehy blame the correct party for shutdowns
Micrometer, I don’t think they make calipers that can measure that small.