The Hitchhiker’s Guide as to why tensions are running so high right now on Capitol Hill
A House committee chairman called another member a "Smurf" at a committee hearing
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The former Speaker elbowing a member who voted to oust him from the Speakership in the kidneys.
A former MMA fighter who is now a senator challenging a leader from the Teamsters to a fight on the dais in a hearing room.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A House committee chairman calling a rank-and-file member a "Smurf" at a committee hearing.
There’s a reason tensions are boiling at such a high level.
Washington, DC - October 25 : Newly elected House Speaker Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) take the oath of office and the gavel on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, in Washington, DC. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
The House is now in session for its 10th consecutive week. Such a stretch without a recess is extraordinary. Especially when the House has wrestled with an unprecedented situation as evicting the Speaker and two potential government shutdowns.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}DEMOCRATS BLOCK EFFORT TO IMPEACH DHS SECRETARY MAYORKAS WITH REPUBLICAN SUPPORT
Pressure is also mounting over the war in the Middle East, aid to Israel and what could happen to Ukraine.
Israel's military says this photo shows its troops operating inside the Gaza Strip on Sunday, Nov. 5. (Israel Defense Forces via AP)
Members are also raging about an effort to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. And there could be an Ethics Committee report later this week on Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.). The House could wrestle with expelling Santos as early as this week. The House has only expelled five members in history.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}MCCARTHY ACCUSED OF PHYSICALLY ATTACKING GOP COLLEAGUE WHO HELPED REMOVE HIM AS SPEAKER
Moreover, there are lots of questions about why House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is able to get away with an interim spending bill – yet that cost former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) his job.
The reason? Look no further to the elbow McCarthy doled out to Burchett.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Representative Kevin McCarthy, a Republican from California, at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023. (Nathan Howard/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Burchett voted to remove McCarthy from the Speakership.
Frankly, some members will tell you they never trusted McCarthy.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"He did stuff like (elbowing Burchett) to us all the time," said one House Republican to Fox. "Only behind the scenes."
In short, there was always a cohort of Republicans who just never liked McCarthy. They like Johnson better. Hence, the reason McCarthy was ousted was personal. It was not over policy or legislative strategy.