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.

  • Cethin
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    17
    ·
    1 year ago

    Me too, but also this is going to fuck a lot of people over if the government goes unfunded, and it doesn’t look like they’re going to figure it out. The only reasonable option currently seems to be any decent Republicans left side with democrats. I don’t really see that happening, but who knows at this point?

    • gravitas_deficiency@sh.itjust.works
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      11
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      1 year ago

      At this point, I just assume the GOP will just do the most harmful thing possible. Sometimes I’m pleasantly surprised; otherwise, I’m prepared for the inevitable.

      I don’t think they’re going to stop until they break something important enough that normal people start calling for blood.

    • Taako_Tuesday@lemmy.ca
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      7
      ·
      1 year ago

      The frogs have been boiled for too long for there to be any chance of that happening. If they wouldn’t side with democrats and remove trump from office after Jan 6, they’re not going to switch sides now, when doing so would tank their party for ages