After begging House Republicans to oppose Rep. Lauren Boebert’s stunt to impeach President Biden, now House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is saying he would support impeaching Attorney General Merrick Garland over the investigation of a private citizen. Could Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene have gotten in his ear again? Remember she said the quiet part out loud again (House Republicans have a habit of doing that these days) and said her “price” for supporting McCarthy is a vote to impeach President Biden or a Biden official. House Republicans have no idea what they want. First, they threatened to impeach DHS Secretary Mayorkas, then Greene wanted to impeach U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves because he was prosecuting *checks notes* January 6th insurrectionists. Then House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer caved on holding FBI Director Christopher Wray in contempt of Congress, as did House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul on his threat to hold Secretary of State Antony Blinken in contempt. Clearly, they know their agenda is unpopular, why else for the whiplash?
MAJOR HIGH SCHOOL CONFERENCE DRAMA
Which brings us to the major drama at the high school, oops we meant House GOP conference last week. Even conservative news outlets faulted Rep. Lauren Boebert for dividing the conference with her impeachment resolution.
- McCarthy admitted the truth about everything the House GOP does, Boebert’s effort was all about politics and was undercutting his efforts to make it seem like their agenda is actually serious.
- Comer was mad because Boebert’s resolution could mean he’d actually have to shut up about his investigations.
- Boebert’s own House Freedom Caucus BFF’s criticized her for not following the group project’s rules.
- Others are saying that she was “not right” for staging this cry for attention.
The whole ordeal shows us once again that the facts won, and the House Republicans caved on their baseless stunts.
WHO’S NOT TALKING TO WHO?
They often appear on TV together, but clearly House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan and James Comer are not talking to each other right now. Jordan has been saying for days that a special counsel is warranted in the investigation into Hunter Biden, a private citizen. Comer, however, just said he’s “strongly opposed” to such an appointment and its “the most ridiculous idea any Republican could think right now.” How embarrassing.
SIGHTINGS
We’re not in middle school anymore according to Boebert, but you’d be forgiven for thinking the House Republican conference never left. Greene and former BFF Boebert were seen fighting on the House floor. Greene reportedly called Boebert a “little bitch” and accused her of copying her resolution to impeach President Biden. Boebert said she wasn’t in middle school anymore. Then Greene tripled down on her name calling. We thought the House was supposed to pass bills.
GOSSIP ON THE HILL
Word on the Hill is that some House Freedom Caucus Members want a purge. According to Politico, two hardline Members approached Chair Rep. Scott Perry about removing certain Members from the group because they don’t think they meet the group’s standards anymore. They reportedly voted on whether to oust Greene who has become a “close ally” of McCarthy.
That’s not the only food fight happening behind the scenes. After House Freedom Caucus members prevented votes on “noncontroversial, partisan legislation,” Rep. Matt Gaetz is saying that was just the beginning and dedicating floor time to more political stunts is “going to become a new doctrine for us.” Okay, but they’ve been doing that since taking the majority?
They’re not even in session this week, but we can always count on House Republicans to waste our time and money.
You Know You Love Us,
Facts First
House Republicans Don’t Know What They Want, They Just Want To Impeach Someone…Anyone
JUST LAST WEEK, HOUSE SPEAKER KEVIN MCCARTHY PLEADED WITH HOUSE REPUBLICANS TO OPPOSE REP. LAUREN BOEBERT’S BIDEN IMPEACHMENT RESOLUTION…
6/21/23: House Speaker Kevin McCarthy Urged House Republicans To Vote Against Rep. Lauren Boebert’s Privileged Resolution To Impeach President Biden. “Speaker Kevin McCarthy urged House Republicans to vote against the resolution brought forward by GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado forcing a vote to impeach President Joe Biden this week, arguing now is not the right time, multiple sources in the closed door meeting told CNN. House Republicans are divided over Boebert’s resolution, with a number of members emerging from the meeting expressing frustration with the conservative congresswoman’s push to force a vote on the politically contentious issue.” [CNN, 6/21/23]
… BUT NOT HE’S SAYING HE SUPPORTS IMPEACHING ATTORNEY GENERAL MERRICK GARLAND OVER THE INVESTIGATION OF A PRIVATE CITIZEN
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy Said He Would Open An Impeachment Inquiry Into Attorney General Merrick Garland If House Republicans Don’t Get The Answers They Want From The Justice Department About The Hunter Biden Case. “Speaker Kevin McCarthy plans to open an impeachment inquiry into Attorney General Merrick Garland if House Republicans don’t get what they consider satisfactory answers from the Justice Department on the criminal investigation of Hunter Biden, President Joe Biden’s son. Allegations made by IRS whistleblowers — that senior Justice Department officials meddled in U.S. Attorney David Weiss’ investigation into tax and gun cases involving Hunter Biden — have incensed Hill Republicans.” [Punchbowl AM, 6/26/23]
- Punchbowl AM Reported That House Speaker Kevin McCarthy Had Previously “Adopted A More Cautious Tone On Impeaching White House Officials Than The Vast Majority Of His Conference.” “McCarthy’s statement is crucial here considering the speaker has adopted a more cautious tone on impeaching White House officials than the vast majority of his conference. And note that the speaker is essentially directing House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) to bring Weiss before the panel. Jordan has already called for the appointment of a special counsel.” [Punchbowl AM, 6/26/23]
HOUSE REPUBLICANS HAVE ALSO CALLED TO IMPEACH DHS SECRETARY MAYORKAS AND U.S. ATTORNEY MATTHEW GRAVES…
House Republicans Have Directed Impeachment Calls At Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas And Contempt Threats At FBI Director Christopher Wray. “The big picture: McCarthy’s threat comes as House Republicans carry out a sprawling array of probes into the Biden administration and the alleged ‘weaponization’ of the federal government and federal law enforcement. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has similarly been targeted for impeachment, while Republicans have also gone hard after FBI Director Christopher Wray.” [Axios, 6/26/23]
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Called To Impeach U.S. Attorney For DC Matthew Graves Because He Was Prosecuting January 6th Insurrectionists. “REP. MARJORIE TAYLOR Greene (R-Ga.) says she will introduce articles of impeachment against D.C. District Attorney Matthew Graves, accusing him of ‘maliciously prosecuting at least 1000 people from Jan. 6,’ and not ‘real criminals.’ ‘The time for weaponizing the Department of Justice needs to come to an end,’ Greene said during a Wednesday House Oversight Committee hearing on rising crime rates within the nation’s capital. ‘Because you refuse to prosecute real criminals — that are violating all the crimes here in Washington, D.C. — and you want to talk about D.C. residents, they are victims of your abuse of power. And because of that, I am introducing articles of impeachment on you, Mr. Graves.’” [Rolling Stone, 5/16/23]
…AND THEY THREATENED THEN CAVED ON HOLDNG FBI DIRECTOR CHRISTOPHER WRAY IN CONTEMPT OF CONGRESS
Rep. James Comer Threatened To Hold FBI Director Christopher Wray In Contempt Of Congress, Then Canceled The Effort Last Minute. “House investigators have also made serious threats to hold contempt votes to force Biden officials to hand over more information. Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) canceled an effort at the last minute to hold FBI Director Christiopher Wray in contempt to pressure him into handing over a document detailed unsubstantiated bribery allegations against the Biden family.” [Axios, 6/21/23]
Rep. Michael McCaul Caved On Holding Secretary Of State Antony Blinken In Contempt Of Congress
Rep. Michael McCaul Threatened To Hold Secretary Of State Antony Blinken In Contempt Of Congress, Then Pulled The Resolution. “Foreign Affairs Chair Michael McCaul (R-Texas) similarly pulled a contempt resolution against Blinken, after he was finally granted access to a sensitive Afghanistan memo.” [Axios, 6/21/23]
REP. MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE SAID THE QUIET PART OUT LOUD AGAIN: SHE WANTS KEVIN MCCARTHY TO IMPEACH JOE BIDEN OR A BIDEN OFFICIAL IF HE WANTS TO KEEP HIS SPEAKER JOB
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Said Her “Price” For Supporting House Speaker Kevin McCarthy Was A Vote To Impeach President Biden. “Far-right Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has told The Independent that a vote to impeach President Joe Biden is her price after she steadfastly supported House Speaker Kevin McCarthy throughout the current Congress. Ms Greene’s words come after her rival in the House GOP conference, Lauren Boebert, said she would file a privileged motion to impeach Mr Biden. Ms Greene said she would vote for the motion despite their disagreements. ‘I don’t play petty personal games,’ she said. Ms Boebert and Ms Greene were on opposite ends of both the fight to make Mr McCarthy the speaker and to raise the debt limit, with Ms Boebert opposing both and Ms Greene supporting both. ‘I made it clear in the conference to everyone in the conference, and I don’t have a problem addressing the conference,’ she said, saying Ms Boebert did not address it.” [The Independent, 6/22/23]
- Marjorie Taylor Greene Pointed Out That She Paid Her Dues To The NRCC And An Extra $100,000 When Other Members Haven’t Paid Their Dues. “Ms Greene said she has consistently been a good footsoldier, paying her dues with the National Republican Congressional Committee and $100,000 extra on top of that, as well as voting for various pieces of legislation that were a priority for Mr McCarthy and House leadership. ‘Most of them haven’t even done their dues,’ she said. ‘I got the votes for McCarthy to become speaker. I voted on the debt ceiling bill even though I called it a s*** sandwich because I found things I liked in it.’” [The Independent, 6/22/23]
- Marjorie Taylor Greene: “I Got The Votes For McCarthy To Become Speaker. I Voted On The Debt Ceiling Bill Even Though I Called It A S*** Sandwich Because I Found Things I Liked In It.” “Ms Greene said she has consistently been a good footsoldier, paying her dues with the National Republican Congressional Committee and $100,000 extra on top of that, as well as voting for various pieces of legislation that were a priority for Mr McCarthy and House leadership. ‘Most of them haven’t even done their dues,’ she said. ‘I got the votes for McCarthy to become speaker. I voted on the debt ceiling bill even though I called it a s*** sandwich because I found things I liked in it.’” [The Independent, 6/22/23]
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Said She Wanted The Impeachment Of A Biden Official In Exchange For Voting In Favor Of The Bipartisan Debt Ceiling Compromise
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Said She Would Vote For The Bipartisan Compromise On The Debt Ceiling, Which She Called A “Shit Sandwich,” If She Could Get The Impeachment Of A Biden Official As Her “Beautiful Dessert.” “Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) said Tuesday that she’s inclined to support the bipartisan debt ceiling proposal set to hit the House floor Wednesday, but she first wants to secure a commitment from GOP leaders to move several other proposals in the future, including the impeachment of President Biden or a top cabinet official. ‘If you have to eat a shit sandwich, you want to have sides, OK? It makes it much better,’ Greene told reporters just outside the Capitol office of Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). ‘So what I’m looking for is, I’m looking for some sides and some desserts.’ […] Then she named her ‘beautiful dessert.’ ‘Somebody needs to be impeached,’ Greene said. She singled out Alejandro Mayorkas, the secretary of the Homeland Security Department, as ‘the lowest hanging fruit’ in the eyes of Republicans for his handling of the migrant crisis at the southern border.” [The Hill, 5/30/23]
House GOP In Disarray Over Lauren Boebert’s Impeachment Theatrics
HEADLINE: “Boebert Forcing Vote On Biden Impeachment Hits A Nerve With Her Own Party: ‘Playground Games'” [Fox News, 6/21/23]
HEADLINE: “Republicans Decide To Forgo Biden Impeachment Vote After Internal Fighting” [NBC News, 6/21/23]
HEADLINE: “House Republicans Pass On Lauren Boebert’s Push To Impeach Biden” [Rolling Stone, 6/22/23]
HEADLINE: “Republicans Punt On Boebert’s Effort To Impeach Biden” [The Hill, 6/22/23]
HEADLINE: “House GOP Fumes As The Right Goes “Rogue” On Impeachment” [Axios, 6/21/23]
HEADLINE: “Rep. Lauren Boebert Divides House GOP With Biden Impeachment Push” [New York Post, 6/21/23]
HOUSE SPEAKER KEVIN MCCARTHY SUGGESTED LAUREN BOEBERT WAS USING IMPEACHMENT FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy Said Rep. Lauren Boebert’s Privileged Resolution To Impeach President Biden Was “Premature” And “We’re Not Going To Use Impeachment For Political Purposes. We’re Going To Follow Our Investigations.” “In an about face, Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert said she would not bring her impeachment resolution against President Joe Biden to the House floor. Instead she said the resolution would be referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security, in addition to the Judiciary Committee. […] Wednesday afternoon, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy told reporters that the move was ‘premature,’ especially as both the House Judiciary Committee and the House Oversight Committee, which Boebert sits on, are still investigating Biden and his administration on a number of issues, including the border. ‘I think just running something on the floor isn’t fair to the American public,’ McCarthy said. He added, ‘We’re not going to use impeachment for political purposes. We’re going to follow our investigations.’ McCarthy said he worried this resolution would disturb or disrupt those ongoing efforts. At a meeting of Republican members Wednesday morning, he reportedly made these same arguments to the conference and urged them not to support Boebert’s motion.” [Colorado Public Radio, 6/21/23]
- House Speaker Kevin McCarthy: “How Are We Going To Censure Adam Schiff For Abusing His Position To Lie And Force An Impeachment And Then Turn Around And Do It Ourselves The Next Day?” “NEW —The message from McCarthy and the leadership on impeaching Biden: comer is running an investigation. If that leads to impeachment, they’ll impeach. But they think now isn’t the time. KM said: republicans have taken back the house 5 times in the last 100 years — 1946, 1952, 1994, 2010 and now 2022 ‘But the first 2 times, we lost it right away the next cycle. The second two times we held it for 12 and 8 years What majority do we want to be? Give it right back in 2 years or hold it for a decade and make real change. How are we going to censure Adam Schiff for abusing his position to lie and force an impeachment and then turn around and do it ourselves the next day?’” [Twitter, Jake Sherman, 6/21/23]
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy Accused Lauren Boebert Of Undercutting The House GOP Agenda
House Speaker McCarthy On Rep. Lauren Boebert’s Privileged Resolution To Impeach Joe Biden: “To Prematurely Bring Something Up Like That, To Have No Background In It, It Undercuts What We’re Doing.” “Boebert introduced a privileged motion on Tuesday that would force a vote on a resolution she proposed last week to impeach Biden on the grounds that he has lost control of the southern border: ‘every Member of Congress must vote on holding Joe Biden accountable,’ she tweeted in announcing the measure. McCarthy criticized Boebert’s move Wednesday, telling reporters, ‘To prematurely bring something up like that, to have no background in it, it undercuts what we’re doing,’ he said.” [Forbes, 6/21/23]
HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE CHAIR JAMES COMER COMPLAINED THAT LAUREN BOEBERT WAS TRYING TO BYPASS HIS INVESTIGATIONS
House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer Criticized Rep. Lauren Boebert’s Biden Impeachment Resolution Because It Bypassed His Committee’s Process. “House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., would not say if he would support Boebert’s resolution but suggested he was unhappy about how her resolution skirted his committee despite its months-long investigation into corruption accusations against the Biden family. ‘I don’t like how she presented it by bypassing the committee process, especially when the investigation in the Oversight Committee, which she’s on, is producing new information almost daily,’ Comer told Fox News Digital.’” [Fox News, 6/21/23]
SOME HOUSE FREEDOM CAUCUS MEMBERS CRITICIZED LAUREN BOEBERT FOR HER IMPEACHMENT ATTEMPT
House Freedom Caucus Member Rep. Ken Buck Suggested Rep. Lauren Boebert’s Privileged Resolution To Impeach President Biden Was Not Credible. “Rep. Ken Buck, who like Boebert belongs to the conservative House Freedom Caucus, said this is not the right time to go forward on impeachment. ‘I don’t think there’s a high crime and misdemeanor that’s been proven. I think there’s some allegations, but I think we’ve got to go through the process if we’re going to do this the right way.’ And should other House members follow Boebert’s lead and try to bypass committees and leadership to get immediate votes on their impeachment resolutions, Buck warns the tactic ‘undermines a future impeachment, if there’s a credible impeachment down the road.’” [Colorado Public Radio, 6/21/23]
House Freedom Caucus Member Rep. Tim Burchett Said He Was Frustrated By Rep. Lauren Boebert’s Privileged Resolution To Impeach President Biden Because It Circumvented The Committee System. “Driving the news: McCarthy, in a closed-door conference meeting on Wednesday, argued against Rep. Lauren Boebert’s (R-Colo.) resolution to impeach Biden, according to multiple sources in the meeting. The speaker said investigations into the Biden administration need to play out, and such resolutions have to run through the normal committee process, before any such vote takes place. Even some members aligned with the Freedom Caucus were receptive to that case. ‘I like the committee system,’ Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) told, saying that an effort like Boebert’s to circumvent it ‘frustrates me.’” [Axios, 6/21/23]
House Freedom Caucus Member Rep. Byron Donalds Opposed Rep. Lauren Boebert’s Resolution To Impeach President Biden And Said “We Do Have A Process Of Doing Things.” “It’s not just McCarthy, however, who has spoken out against Boebert’s impeachment articles. Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL)—a fellow House Freedom Caucus member—disagreed with Boebert’s decision to force a vote so quickly on such a weighty matter. ‘We do have a process of doing things,’ he told The Daily Beast. ‘Impeachment is at such a high level that you know there should be some process for that.’” [Daily Beast, 6/21/23]
DON BACON SAID LAUREN BOEBERT’S IMPEACHMENT ATTEMPT WAS “NOT RIGHT” AND MOTIVATED BY HER OWN EGO
Rep. Don Bacon Said Rep. Lauren Boebert Was “Wrong” For Introducing Her Impeachment Resolution And That Any Impeachment Process Should Go Through The House Oversight And Judiciary Committees. “Boebert, R-Colo., filed a privileged resolution on the House floor Tuesday evening aimed at impeaching Biden over the border crisis, and it appeared to catch members of her own party off guard. A privileged resolution allows lawmakers to force a vote on the House floor without going through the committee, a move that some Republicans seem to oppose. […] ‘I think the previous majority cheapened impeachment,’ Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., told Fox News Digital. ‘I think it was politicized. This shouldn’t be playground games.’ ‘This should be serious, should go through the Judiciary Committee or Oversight Committee. And if there [are] real facts for impeachment, then you go there, but doing this is wrong,’ he said, agreeing with Comer.” [Fox News, 6/21/23]
- Don Bacon On Rep. Lauren Boebert’s Privileged Resolution To Impeach President Biden: “It’s Not Right. It’s People Thinking Of Themselves.” “What they’re saying: Several Republicans told Axios they don’t plan to vote for Boebert’s resolution, placing it in serious jeopardy. […] Zoom in: Some swing-district members said in the conference meeting that Boebert’s vote puts them in a tough political position, Biden-district Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) told Axios: ‘It’s not right. It’s people thinking of themselves.’” [Axios, 6/21/23]
RYAN ZINKE SAID LAUREN BOEBERT’S IMPEACHMENT ATTEMPT WAS “THEATER” AND “SMACKS OF SELF-SERVICE”
Rep. Ryan Zinke Said Rep. Lauren Boebert’s Privileged Resolution To Impeach President Biden Was “Theater” And “Smacks Of Self-Service And Not Service.” “Bacon said he would vote with Democrats to kill the resolution when it comes up, something that could happen Wednesday; so did Rep. Ryan Zinke. R-Mont., who previously served as President Trump’s interior secretary and recalled the impeachment process Democrats underwent during that administration. ‘I loathe how they treated President Trump. If you want to go through impeachment, it should go through Judiciary, they should look at all the evidence and have a case that is clear,’ Zinke said. ‘I think it should be pursued. I think it should be done, absolutely, so the American people can see it all transparent. I think Jim Jordan, and that committee of jurisdiction is the right place.’ ‘But doing a privilege motion off the floor is, to me, theater, and smacks of self-service and not service,’ he added.” [Fox News, 6/21/23]
GARRET GRAVES SUGGESTED LAUREN BOEBERT’S IMPEACHMENT ATTEMPT WAS FLIPPANT
Rep. Garret Graves On Rep. Lauren Boebert’s Privileged Resolution To Impeach President Biden: “Impeachment [Is] One Of The Awesome Power Of The Congress. It’s Not Something You Should Flippantly Exercise In Two Days.” “What they’re saying: Several Republicans told Axios they don’t plan to vote for Boebert’s resolution, placing it in serious jeopardy. […] ‘Impeachment [is] one of the awesome power of the Congress. It’s not something you should flippantly exercise in two days,’ said Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.), a McCarthy lieutenant, arguing it ‘actually undermines’ future efforts.” [Axios, 6/21/23]
AN UNNAMED HOUSE REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER SAID LAUREN BOEBERT’S IMPEACHMENT ATTEMPT WAS A CAMPAIGN FUNDRAISING STUNT
Unnamed House Republican On Rep. Lauren Boebert’s Privileged Resolution To Impeach President Biden: “They Are Just Using [These Motions] For Raising Campaign Cash.” “What they’re saying: Several Republicans told Axios they don’t plan to vote for Boebert’s resolution, placing it in serious jeopardy. […] ‘They are just using [these motions] for raising campaign cash,’ one House Republican, speaking on the condition of anonymity, vented.” [Axios, 6/21/23]
AN UNNAMED HOUSE REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER SAID INFIGHTING OVER LAUREN BOEBERT’S IMPEACHMENT ATTEMPT WAS NOT HELPFUL “IN ANY WAY”
An Unnamed Republican Lawmaker Said The Infighting Over Rep. Lauren Boebert’s Resolution To Impeach President Biden Was Not Helpful “In Any Way.” “In the broader GOP conference, many members believe it is hardly the right time to push for Biden’s impeachment, and they worry that Boebert and Greene’s tactics will expose Republican disunity on the issue. But to Republicans who are supportive of the impeachment push, the obvious infighting between two of the most vocal and influential conservatives was met with concern. A GOP lawmaker warned The Daily Beast about ‘bad blood’ stemming from the impeachment fight. ‘I personally don’t think it’s helpful in any way,’ this lawmaker said.” [Daily Beast, 6/21/23]
MANY HOUSE REPUBLICANS OPPOSED LAUREN BOEBERT’S IMPEACHMENT ATTEMPT BECAUSE IT IGNORED REGULAR ORDER
Rep. Barry Loudermilk On Rep. Lauren Boebert’s Privileged Resolution To Impeach President Biden: “I Can’t Vote For The Impeachment At This Point Because There’s Been No Investigation […] Everybody Has To Be Given Due Process.” “A surprise effort by hard-right House Republicans to impeach President Joe Biden has been sidelined for now, but the ability of GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert to force the issue to a House vote demonstrates the ever-escalating challenge Speaker Kevin McCarthy faces in controlling his Republican majority. […] ‘It’s a tough vote,’ said Republican Rep. Barry Loudermilk of Georgia, who said he was sure he would be hearing from voters back home who want to impeach Biden. ‘I can’t vote for the impeachment at this point because there’s been no investigation,’ he said. ‘Everybody has to be given due process.’” [The Independent, 6/22/23]
Asked About Rep. Lauren Boebert’s Privileged Resolution To Impeach President Biden, Rep. Kelly Armstrong Said He Would Prefer Regular Order. “Boebert, R-Colo., filed a privileged resolution on the House floor Tuesday evening aimed at impeaching Biden over the border crisis, and it appeared to catch members of her own party off guard. A privileged resolution allows lawmakers to force a vote on the House floor without going through the committee, a move that some Republicans seem to oppose. […] ‘I would prefer regular order, I think regular order has worked for us,’ said Rep. Kelly Armstrong, R-N.D. ‘I think we fought really hard to get rank-and-file members to have committee access and all of those things. That was a big part of the 15-vote speaker fight, so I think we should use it.’” [Fox News, 6/21/23]
Rep. John Duarte Expressed Frustration With Rep. Lauren Boebert For Bringing Up A Privileged Resolution To Impeach President Biden. “What they’re saying: Several Republicans told Axios they don’t plan to vote for Boebert’s resolution, placing it in serious jeopardy. […] Duarte, another Biden-district member, told Axios he is ‘frustrated’ with Boebert for bringing it up.” [Axios, 6/21/23]
Rep. Carlos Gimenez Said He Would “Probably Not” Vote For Rep. Lauren Boebert’s Privileged Resolution To Impeach President Biden And Called It “Premature.” “What they’re saying: Several Republicans told Axios they don’t plan to vote for Boebert’s resolution, placing it in serious jeopardy. […] Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.) said he is ‘probably not’ voting for what he called a ‘premature’ impeachment, adding, ‘I may vote to impeach the president, but we need to go through a process.’” [Axios, 6/21/23]
KEN CALVERT SAID THE HOUSE FREEDOM CAUSCUS HAD “GONE ROGUE”
Rep. Ken Calvert On The House Freedom Caucus: “I Think They’ve Kind Of Gone Rogue.” “House Republicans erupted into infighting on Wednesday as leadership and members across the conference pushed back on a burst of impeachment votes being forced by right-wing lawmakers. Why it matters: It’s an escalation of an increasingly acrimonious internal GOP dynamic as members of the right-wing Freedom Caucus try to seize control of the party’s agenda. ‘I think they’ve kind of gone rogue,’ said Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), an ally of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).” [Axios, 6/21/23]
The Committee Chairs Aren’t Talking To Each Other
ASKED ABOUT THE HUNTER BIDEN CASE, REP. JIM JORDAN SAID “IF A SPECIAL COUNSEL IS NOT WARRANTED HERE, WHEN IS IT?”
Rep. Jim Jordan On The Hunter Biden Case: “If A Special Counsel Is Not Warranted Here, When Is It?” REPORTER: “Do you think it’s time for a special counsel in the Hunter Biden investigation?” JIM JORDAN: “That was the biggest takeaway right? The biggest takeaway is the U.S. attorney, Weiss asked for a special counsel status and Garland’s Justice Department says no. If a special counsel is not warranted here, when is it?” [Twitter, The Hill, 6/23/23] (video)
Rep. Jim Jordan On The Hunter Biden Case: “For Goodness Sake If This Case Doesn’t Warrant Special Counsel Status, I Don’t Know What Does.” JIM JORDAN: “Well, also Maria, think about this. The attorney general told us he’s going to take a hands off approach, David Weiss, the U.S. attorney in Delaware, he can run the case like he wants. But then David Weiss asked to get special counsel status and he’s turned down. For goodness sake if this case doesn’t warrant special counsel status, I don’t know what does.” [Fox News, 6/25/23] (video)
Rep. Don Bacon Also Called For A Special Counsel To Look At The Federal Hunter Biden Case
Rep. Don Bacon Called For A Special Counsel To Look At The Federal Hunter Biden Case. “House Rs calling for special counsel. Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan to me on Hunter Biden: ‘If a special counsel is not warranted here, when is it?’ Rep. Don Bacon, swing district Republican: ‘I think it’s serious. I think we need a special counsel to look at this,’ he said” [Twitter, Manu Raju, 6/23/23]
BUT CHAIRMAN JAMES COMER SAID REPUBLICANS ARE “RIDICULOUS” FOR SUGGESTING APPOINTING A SPECIAL COUNSEL IN THE HUNTER BIDEN CASE
Rep. James Comer Said He “Strongly Oppose[s]” The Idea Of Appointing A Special Counsel In The Hunter Biden Case And “That’s The Most Ridiculous Idea Any Republican Could Think Right Now.” “House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer said he strongly opposes the appointment of a special counsel in the federal probe into Hunter Biden, saying Americans should not trust Attorney General Merrick Garland, while vowing his panel is fully equipped to get to the bottom of its investigation into the Biden family’s alleged business schemes. […] ‘I strongly oppose the appointment of a special counsel,’ he said. ‘I think that’s the most ridiculous idea that any Republican could think right now because, if you support a special counsel, you support and trust Merrick Garland to have the sole authority to pick one person who can then take over the investigation and never have to be transparent with the media or Congress until the conclusion of the investigation, which might take years.’” [Fox News, 6/26/23]
- James Comer: “If You Support A Special Counsel, You Support And Trust Merrick Garland To Have The Sole Authority To Pick One Person Who Can Then Take Over The Investigation And Never Have To Be Transparent With The Media Or Congress Until The Conclusion Of The Investigation, Which Might Take Years.” “House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer said he strongly opposes the appointment of a special counsel in the federal probe into Hunter Biden, saying Americans should not trust Attorney General Merrick Garland, while vowing his panel is fully equipped to get to the bottom of its investigation into the Biden family’s alleged business schemes. […] ‘I strongly oppose the appointment of a special counsel,’ he said. ‘I think that’s the most ridiculous idea that any Republican could think right now because, if you support a special counsel, you support and trust Merrick Garland to have the sole authority to pick one person who can then take over the investigation and never have to be transparent with the media or Congress until the conclusion of the investigation, which might take years.’” [Fox News, 6/26/23]
“Little Bitch” Name Calling, Spitting, “Stop Copying Me” – House GOP Conference Is Just Like Middle School
MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE REPORTEDLY CALLED LAUREN BOEBERT A “LITTLE BITCH” ON THE HOUSE FLOOR AND ACCUSED HER OF COPYING HER IMPEACHMENT EFFORTS
HEADLINE: “The Maga Girlbosses Are Fighting” [The Cut, 6/22/23]
HEADLINE: “Marjorie Taylor Greene Calls Boebert A ‘Little Bitch’ On The House Floor” [Daily Beast, 6/21/23]
After Rep. Lauren Boebert Used A Procedural Tool To Try To Force A Vote On Her Resolution To Impeach President Biden, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Called Boebert A “Little Bitch” To Her Face On The House Floor. “The messy feud between two of MAGA world’s biggest stars burst into public view on Wednesday, when Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) called Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) a ‘little bitch’ to her face on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. The angry exchange came as the two lawmakers have been swiping at each other over their competing resolutions to impeach President Joe Biden. But tensions came to a head on Wednesday after Boebert leveraged a procedural tool to force a vote on her own impeachment resolution within days—undercutting Greene, who had offered her own resolution, but not with the procedural advantages of forcing a vote. Greene apparently cursed out Boebert while the House was voting Wednesday afternoon, as the two spoke in a center aisle of the House floor; part of their interaction was captured on C-SPAN’s cameras.” [Daily Beast, 6/21/23]
- Marjorie Taylor Greene Reportedly Accused Rep. Lauren Boebert Of Copying Her Articles Of Impeachment. “According to two of the sources, Greene then stood up and alleged that Boebert ‘copied my articles of impeachment,’ to which the Colorado lawmaker fired back that she hadn’t even read Greene’s resolution. ‘I’ve donated to you, I’ve defended you. But you’ve been nothing but a little bitch to me,’ Greene told Boebert, according to a source who witnessed the exchange. ‘And you copied my articles of impeachment after I asked you to cosponsor them.’” [Daily Beast, 6/21/23]
THEN BOEBERT TOLD GREENE THEY WERE BREAKING UP, TO WHICH GREENE RESPONDED THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN TOGETHER
After Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Called Rep. Lauren Boebert A “Bitch,” Boebert Reportedly Said “Ok, Marjorie We’re Through” And Greene Responded “We Were Never Together.” “The name-calling was confirmed by another GOP lawmaker and another source who witnessed the exchange. ‘I heard Marjorie call Boebert a bitch right to her face,’ one GOP lawmaker said, granted anonymity by The Daily Beast to speak freely about the argument. ‘OK, Marjorie, we’re through,’ Boebert then said, shrugging her shoulders. With Boebert’s back turned, Greene responded: ‘We were never together.’ Reached for comment about the exchange, Boebert didn’t deny the back and forth.” [Daily Beast, 6/21/23]
GREENE ALSO CLAIMED BOEBERT ACCUSED HER OF SPITTING ON HER LIP, TO WHICH GREEN SAID SHE TOLD BOEBERT TO “SHUT UP” BECAUSE REP. ANNA PAULINA LUNA WAS SPEAKING
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Claimed Rep. Lauren Boebert Accused Her Of Spitting On Her Lip. “Greene said that at one point in the fight, parts of which were caught from afar on video, Boebert accused the Georgia lawmaker of accidentally spitting on her lip. Then, toward the end of the exchange, Boebert tried to re-engage her, but she cut the conversation off. ‘I said ‘you need to shut up because the only person that’s recognized to speak right now is Luna,’ she told Semafor, referring to Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., who was then giving a speech on the floor.” [Semafor, 6/21/23]
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Claimed She Told Rep. Lauren Boebert To Shut Up “Because The Only Person That’s Recognized To Speak Right Now Is [Rep. Anna Paulina] Luna.” “Greene said that at one point in the fight, parts of which were caught from afar on video, Boebert accused the Georgia lawmaker of accidentally spitting on her lip. Then, toward the end of the exchange, Boebert tried to re-engage her, but she cut the conversation off. ‘I said ‘you need to shut up because the only person that’s recognized to speak right now is Luna,’ she told Semafor, referring to Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., who was then giving a speech on the floor.” [Semafor, 6/21/23]
IN RESPONSE TO GREENE CALLING HER A “LITTLE BITCH,” BOEBERT SAID “I’M NOT IN MIDDLE SCHOOL”
In Response To Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Calling Her A “Little Bitch,” Rep. Lauren Boebert Said: “Like I Said, I’m Not In Middle School.” CNN’s Haley Talbot tweeted: “Reacting to Green’s ‘little bitch’ comment, Boebert told @mkraju , ‘Like I said, I’m not in middle school.’” [Twitter, Haley Talbot, 6/21/23]
GREENE THEN DOUBLED DOWN AND SAID BOEBERT “HAS GENUINELY BEEN A NASTY LITTLE BITCH TO ME”
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Doubled Down On Calling Rep. Lauren Boebert A “Little Bitch” On The House Floor: “She Has Genuinely Been A Nasty Little Bitch To Me.” “Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga. isn’t backing down after calling Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo. a ‘little bitch’ to her face on the House floor Wednesday during a fight over their dueling efforts to impeach President Joe Biden. Asked whether there was any chance the two would reconcile after the confrontation, Greene said: ‘Absolutely not.’ ‘She has genuinely been a nasty little bitch to me,’ Greene told Semafor. (Their fight was first reported by The Daily Beast.)” [Semafor, 6/21/23]
- Marjorie Taylor Greene On Rep. Lauren Boebert: “I Have Defended Her When She’s Been Attacked. She And I Have Virtually The Same Voting Record. We’re Both Members Of The House Freedom Caucus. We Shouldn’t Be Natural Allies. …But For Some Reason, She Has A Great Skill And Talent For Making Most People Here Not Like Her.” Politico’s Olivia Beaver’s tweeted: “Rep. GREENE says this Daily Beast story of her calling Rep. Boebert ‘a little bitch’ is ‘impressively correct.’ ‘I have defended her when she’s been attacked. She and I have virtually the same voting record. We’re both members of the House Freedom Caucus. We shouldn’t be natural allies. …but for some reason, she has a great skill and talent for making most people here not like her.’” [Twitter, Olivia Beavers, 6/21/23; Twitter, Olivia Beavers, 6/21/23]
GREENE ALSO ACCUSED BOEBERT OF COPYING HER IMPEACHMENT RESOLUTION SO SHE COULD FUNDRAISE FOR HER CAMPAIGN
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Accused Rep. Lauren Boebert Of Using A Procedural Tool To Force A Vote On Her Resolution To Impeach President Biden So She Could Produce Good Campaign Fundraising Numbers. “‘Lauren Boebert never addressed the conference,’ Greene said. ‘I made it clear to the conference that I have introduced articles of impeachment, literally since Joe Biden’s first day in office.’ ‘I have been talking about it with everybody forever,’ Greene continued. ‘Literally, everyone. Forever, ‘til I’m blue in the face. You see me? I’m blue in the face.’ She later explained to Semafor how the exchange went down: ‘I was sitting down, and so I stood up and I said, ‘I’m happy to clarify my public statements to your face.’ ‘I told her exactly what I think about her.’ Greene revealed she told Boebert she was annoyed that rather than support her own impeachment effort, she overtook it. ‘It’s purely for fundraising,’ she told Semafor. ‘It’s throwing out red meat so that people will donate to her campaign because she’s coming up on the end of the month, and she’s trying to produce good fundraising numbers.’” [Daily Beast, 6/21/23]
THEN BOEBERT ACCUSED PEOPLE OF STIRRING UP DRAMA AND SAID SHE DIDN’T COME TO CONGRESS FOR “CAT FIGHTS” AND “SQUABBLES”
Rep. Lauren Boebert: “It’s Really Unfortunate That Somebody Communicated The Conversation That Took Place On The Floor Because I Was Willing To Walk Away [From] People Wanting To Stir Up Unnecessary Drama.” “Compounding that sentiment: an ugly floor fight this week between Greene and Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) over their competing resolutions to impeach President Joe Biden. Greene confirmed a Daily Beast report that she called her Freedom Caucus colleague ‘a little bitch’ on the House floor, telling reporters that the story was ‘impressively correct.’ In an interview following the spat, Boebert demurred when asked where she stands on the Freedom Caucus purge pitch: ‘If something comes up,’ she said, ‘then we’ll address it.’ ‘It’s really unfortunate that somebody communicated the conversation that took place on the floor’ between herself and Greene, Boebert added, ‘because I was willing to walk away [from] people wanting to stir up unnecessary drama.’” [Politico, 6/23/23]
Rep. Lauren Boebert: “I Didn’t Leave My Four Kids And Now My Grandson To Come Up Here And Have Cat Fights And Just To Get In Squabbles.” “In an interview following the spat, Boebert demurred when asked where she stands on the Freedom Caucus purge pitch: ‘If something comes up,’ she said, ‘then we’ll address it.’ ‘It’s really unfortunate that somebody communicated the conversation that took place on the floor’ between herself and Greene, Boebert added, ‘because I was willing to walk away [from] people wanting to stir up unnecessary drama.’ She criticized reporters for focusing on ‘pettiness’ rather than her impeachment proposal: ‘I didn’t leave my four kids and now my grandson to come up here and have cat fights and just to get in squabbles.’” [Politico, 6/23/23]
NOW GREENE IS ACCUSING BOEBERT OF LEAKING THE DETAILS OF THEIR ARGUMENT AND CONFIRMED SHE CALLED HER NAMES
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene: “I Find It Unfortunate That Lauren Boebert Leaked That Conversation That We Had To The Press. But Once She Leaked It Out, I Had To Confirm That That’s, In Fact, What I Said.” “Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) on Sunday accused Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) of leaking their tense argument in the House chamber to the press, calling it ‘unfortunate’ that she did so. ‘I find it unfortunate that Lauren Boebert leaked that conversation that we had to the press. But once she leaked it out, I had to confirm that that’s, in fact, what I said,’ Greene said in an interview on Fox News’s ‘MediaBuzz’ with Howard Kurtz.” [The Hill, 6/25/23]
House Freedom Caucus Members Call To Purge Other Members For Missing Song Practice
HEADLINE: “House Freedom Caucus Faces An Internal Purge Push” [Politico, 6/23/23]
Two Hardline House Freedom Caucus Members Reportedly Approached Chair Rep. Scott Perry About Purging Colleagues From The Group Who They Believed No Longer Met The Group’s Standards. “Tensions inside the conservative House Freedom Caucus have reached the point that some members are floating the idea of purging colleagues from the group. At least two hardliners have discussed — and proposed to Freedom Caucus Chair Scott Perry (R-Pa.) — trying to boot members who no longer meet the group’s standards, according to three Republicans with knowledge of the talks who spoke on condition of anonymity. The lawmakers declined to name who’s behind the ouster calls, underscoring the sensitivity of the situation.” [Politico, 6/23/23]
House Freedom Caucus Members Reportedly Wanted To Purge Some Lawmakers From The Group Because They Believed They Violated Group Standards By Being Inactive. “The risk of an outside-the-tent conservative becoming too friendly with the establishment isn’t the only problem that Freedom Caucus purists have identified, though. Internal Freedom Caucus critics are talking about targeting a handful of members beyond Greene, too, whom they see as violating group standards by being inactive.” [Politico, 6/23/23]
House Freedom Caucus Members Reportedly Voted On Whether To Oust Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene
House Freedom Caucus Members Reportedly Signaled That They Wanted To Push To Eject Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Who Has Become A “Close Ally” Of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. “While the members suggesting a purge did not specify the people they want to remove, they are signaling that one target of any ejection push is Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.). Some in the Freedom Caucus have focused on Greene, who’s become a close ally of Speaker Kevin McCarthy, to illustrate their fears that certain group members are too aligned with GOP leaders and too outwardly critical of the group when it splits on certain issues.” [Politico, 6/23/23]
6/23/23: The House Freedom Caucus Reportedly Voted On Whether Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Could Remain Part Of The Group Or Not – It Reportedly Ended With Consensus Against Her. “House Freedom Caucus members took a momentous vote Friday on Marjorie Taylor Greene’s future with the group, according to three people familiar with the matter — but it’s not yet clear whether she’s been officially ejected. […] While her formal status in the conservative group remains in limbo, the 8 a.m. Friday vote — which sources said ended with a consensus against her — points to, at least, continued strong anti-Greene sentiment.” [Politico, 6/26/23]
Far-Right MAGA House Republicans Plan To Make Food Fights The Norm
FIRST THEY BLOCKED “NONCONTROVERSIAL, PARTISAN LEGISLATION” TO THROW A FIT OVER COMPROMISE DEBT CEILING LEGISLATION
Following The Debt Ceiling Compromise, House Freedom Caucus Prevented The House From Voting On “Noncontroversial, Partisan Legislation” For One Week Until They Could Get Concessions From House Speaker McCarthy. “The group has been incensed since McCarthy largely circumvented their demands to dramatically cut spending when striking a deal with the Biden administration to lift the debt ceiling and avert economic calamity last month. The far-right flank of lawmakers was so angry over the deal that they prevented the House from voting on noncontroversial, partisan legislation for one week until they could ensure concessions from McCarthy. Several Freedom Caucus lawmakers, as well as other hard-right Republicans, relented on their floor blockade once McCarthy directed appropriators to match next year’s government funding to 2022 fiscal year spending levels and allowed an immediate vote on a resolution that would repeal a Biden administration gun regulation.” [Washington Post, 6/20/23]
NOW, MATT GAETZ IS SAYING THAT WAS JUST THE BEGINNING
Rep. Matt Gaetz Said Tactics Like Republican Hardliner’s Floor Blockage Was “Actually Going To Be A New Doctrine For Us.” “A group of GOP hard-liners revealed this week that they’ve unlocked a new tactic to disrupt their own party’s floor agenda. And while their more senior colleagues hope it’s just a phase, that may be wishful thinking. […] Yet a ringleader of that conservative floor blockade — who has had his own well-known run-in with Rogers — insists it’s only the beginning: ‘It’s actually going to be a new doctrine for us,’ Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) said after conservatives successfully pushed a measure to punish Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) on Wednesday. ‘I told the speaker, he obviously had more fun today than he’s ever had as speaker,’ Gaetz added. ‘Today was his best day as speaker.’” [Politico, 6/23/23]