On Tuesday, multiple Republicans tried to turn the Capitol into a battle royal, from the former House Speaker all the way down to the rank-and-file. Early in the day, Kevin McCarthy, who was embarrassingly ousted as Speaker last month, allegedly elbowed Tennessee Rep. Tim Burchett from behind.
NPR reporter Claudia Grisales was on the scene.
“While talking to @RepTimBurchett after the GOP conference meeting, former @SpeakerMcCarthy walked by with his detail and McCarthy shoved Burchett. Burchett lunged towards me,” she reported. “I thought it was a joke, it was not. And a chase ensued…”
When Burchett caught up with McCarthy (yes, apparently there was an actual chase), the California Republican denied elbowing him in the back.
Burchett con't: "You got no guts, you did so, …the reporter said it right there, what kind of chicken move is that? You're pathetic man, you are so pathetic."
Burchett starts to walk away from McCarthy, tells me, "What a jerk," and then yells back, "You need security Kevin!"
McCarthy elicited ire from far-right Republicans when he passed a continuing resolution to keep the government funded through November 17 (Friday). His modicum of bipartisanship prompted Republicans to oust him, and elect the vehemently anti-gay Mike Johnson as Speaker.
“I got elbowed in the back, and it caught me off-guard, because it was a clean shot to the kidneys. I turned back, and there was Kevin,” he said.
“For a minute, I was kind of like, ‘What the heck just happened?’ Then I chased after him, of course. As I’ve stated many times, he’s a bully with $17 million and a security detail. He’s the type of guy who when you were a kid, would throw a rock over the fence and run home and hide behind his mama’s skirt.”
Instead of hiding behind his mama’s skirt, McCarthy slid behind his security detail.
Meow! Let these cats fight!
Rep. Tim Burchett claims on CNN that Kevin McCarthy hit him from behind with "a clean shot to the kidneys" and calls him "a bully" pic.twitter.com/CCLQvNuWHw
But that’s wasn’t the only congressional smackdown!
Over in the Senate Chamber, Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin attempted to fight Teamsters leader Sean O’Brien, who was one of his committee’s witnesses during a hearing.
Mullin read back some taunting tweets from O’Brien, and then asked if he wanted to throw fists.
“Sir, this is a time. This is a place. If you want to run your mouth, we can be two consenting adults. We can finish it here,” Mullin challenged.
O’Brien called Mullin’s bluff.
“OK, that’s fine,” he responded.
Within seconds, the junior senator from Oklahoma was on his feet, daring O’Brien to “stand his butt up.”
That prompted committee chairman Bernie Sanders to play referee.
“Sit down! You’re a United States Senator. Sit down, please!” yelled the 82-year-old lawmaker.
Could’ve fooled us! That’s kind of what we expect from a guy named “Markwayne,” anyway.
There is an inglorious history of violence in Congress…though the most infamous dustups are hundreds of years old. Vice President Aaron Burr shot Alexander Hamilton on the floor in 1804, leading to the first Treasury Secretary’s death.
Roughly 50 years later, South Carolina Democrat Preston Brooks attacked Charles Sumner, a Massachusetts anti-gay Republican, with a cane. Sumner was beaten unconscious.
In many ways, it’s fitting that Republicans tried to bring Congress back to the 19th century Tuesday. They want to bring us back there in terms of social policy, anyway.
We can't rely on mainstream media to tell our stories. That's why we don't lock Queerty articles behind a paywall. Will you support our mission with a contribution today?
POS…”I can shoot and kill someone on the 5th Ave and nothing will, blah blah blah blah. He opened up the gates. This too shall pass. Hold on, kids. It will.
Don’t forget about your local politics. We can find solutions.
“Roughly 50 years later, South Carolina Democrat Preston Brooks attacked Charles Sumner, a Massachusetts anti-gay Republican, with a cane. Sumner was beaten unconscious.”
Sumner was an ANTI-SLAVERY Republican, not “anti-gay”! I mean, maybe someone was typing too fast, but mixing up chattel slavery and being gay is just unconscionable. Please correct this, promptly.
Also, Preston Brooks was an extremely racist pro-slavery fanatic who died in 1857, 3 years before the US Civil War began, of a violent attack of the croup, which was so bad he tried to tear his own throat out. Sumner was out sick for three years as a result of the beating, which nearly killed him and left him debilitated for the rest of his life.
And if you know anything about Sen. Charles Sumner – I wouldn’t be surprised if he had been gay.
Anti-gay??? Doesn’t anyone proof read these articles before they post???
From Wiki:
“In addition to practicing law, Brooks owned a plantation located in Cambridge, between Edgefield and Ninety-Six. In 1840, Brooks fought a duel with future Texas Senator Louis T. Wigfall, and was shot in the hip, forcing him to use a walking cane for the rest of his life.”
Also, Aaron Burr did shoot and kill Alexander Hamilton, but NOT on the floor. Burr shot and killed Hamilton in a duel in New Jersey outside along the Hudson River. Burr killing Hamilton is not an example of violence inside the Congress.
Alex, if I may address you directly, please don’t overdo, as David Letterman used to say. Maybe you’re trying to do too much.
Senator Charles Sumner, a Massachusetts antislavery Republican, addressed the Senate on the explosive issue of whether Kansas should be admitted to the Union as a slave state or a free state.
Preston Brooks, a racist, proslavery Democrat, beat Sumner repeatedly with his cane nearly to his death.
Republicans really need to step up their game and elect better people to congress. This is just so unacceptable. WE have real problems that need to be addressed and half of Congress is mentally unfit.
This must have been AI generated because everybody knows Hamilton was not shot on the house floor and that Sumner was beaten for being anti slavery by Brooks repping a slave state prior to the civil war. Queerty this is inexcusable!
The GQP House conference hasn’t been anything but a bunch of adult children for some time now so McCarthy’s little stunt wasn’t surprising.
The Mullin incident was just so embarrassing to watch and sad. The Senate is supposed to be the great deliberative body of our country and he literally tried making it a MMA cage fight. I watched the whole thing in its entirety. He didn’t come with any questions relating to work place conditions or anything relevant to what the committee meeting was about. He literally opened his questioning griping about some tweet spar the 2 got in over the summer and challenged the teamster president to a fight.
When the polls come out about how the country feels it’s going in the wrong direction, just look over at the republican conference to understand why.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
wikidBSTN
Sen Mullin should be censored. You don’t physically threaten citizens called before Congress to testify.
abfab
But THEY DO, wiki.
POS…”I can shoot and kill someone on the 5th Ave and nothing will, blah blah blah blah. He opened up the gates. This too shall pass. Hold on, kids. It will.
Don’t forget about your local politics. We can find solutions.
still_onthemark
You mean “censured” but yes!
abfab
Or rather, the Behind from Elbow.
Thanks for your reporting, Alex Reimer. We need you now more than ever. These men and women on the right side of the aisle are amazingly troubling.
abfab
Mullin. Tough guy. Wow. At least he’s got a tight waist and uses Grecian Formula. HOTSEXYDUMB.
Ronbo
As George Takei, former concentration camp survivor would say, Oh myyyy… you really are a hot mess.
Kangol2
Oh Queerty, you have a howler here:
“Roughly 50 years later, South Carolina Democrat Preston Brooks attacked Charles Sumner, a Massachusetts anti-gay Republican, with a cane. Sumner was beaten unconscious.”
Sumner was an ANTI-SLAVERY Republican, not “anti-gay”! I mean, maybe someone was typing too fast, but mixing up chattel slavery and being gay is just unconscionable. Please correct this, promptly.
Also, Preston Brooks was an extremely racist pro-slavery fanatic who died in 1857, 3 years before the US Civil War began, of a violent attack of the croup, which was so bad he tried to tear his own throat out. Sumner was out sick for three years as a result of the beating, which nearly killed him and left him debilitated for the rest of his life.
wikidBSTN
And if you know anything about Sen. Charles Sumner – I wouldn’t be surprised if he had been gay.
Anti-gay??? Doesn’t anyone proof read these articles before they post???
inbama
From Wiki:
“In addition to practicing law, Brooks owned a plantation located in Cambridge, between Edgefield and Ninety-Six. In 1840, Brooks fought a duel with future Texas Senator Louis T. Wigfall, and was shot in the hip, forcing him to use a walking cane for the rest of his life.”
Brooks County, Georgia is named for the SOB.
UserSimon
@inbama – I wish my last name was Wigfall. That’s a classic!
Fahd
Also, Aaron Burr did shoot and kill Alexander Hamilton, but NOT on the floor. Burr shot and killed Hamilton in a duel in New Jersey outside along the Hudson River. Burr killing Hamilton is not an example of violence inside the Congress.
Alex, if I may address you directly, please don’t overdo, as David Letterman used to say. Maybe you’re trying to do too much.
Baron Wiseman
Love me a whole lot of Senator Markwayne Mullin. Hot Daddy!
dbmcvey
I’m sure Hawley will be jealous.
Baron Wiseman
Senator Charles Sumner, a Massachusetts antislavery Republican, addressed the Senate on the explosive issue of whether Kansas should be admitted to the Union as a slave state or a free state.
Preston Brooks, a racist, proslavery Democrat, beat Sumner repeatedly with his cane nearly to his death.
dbmcvey
And history stopped in 1900.
LumpyPillows
Republicans really need to step up their game and elect better people to congress. This is just so unacceptable. WE have real problems that need to be addressed and half of Congress is mentally unfit.
bachy
100%
tjdouglas
This must have been AI generated because everybody knows Hamilton was not shot on the house floor and that Sumner was beaten for being anti slavery by Brooks repping a slave state prior to the civil war. Queerty this is inexcusable!
inbama
LOL.
Like Ron “Don’t-Say-Gay” DeSantis?
I don’t think they could afford AI. They probably just hit “add to dictionary” on their spell check.
still_onthemark
At Queerty they are so used to typing “anti-gay Republican” it must pop out as a sort of “macro” function.
ZzBomb
The GQP House conference hasn’t been anything but a bunch of adult children for some time now so McCarthy’s little stunt wasn’t surprising.
The Mullin incident was just so embarrassing to watch and sad. The Senate is supposed to be the great deliberative body of our country and he literally tried making it a MMA cage fight. I watched the whole thing in its entirety. He didn’t come with any questions relating to work place conditions or anything relevant to what the committee meeting was about. He literally opened his questioning griping about some tweet spar the 2 got in over the summer and challenged the teamster president to a fight.
When the polls come out about how the country feels it’s going in the wrong direction, just look over at the republican conference to understand why.