And McCarthy backs away. Right after threatening Swalwell if he ever called him a pussy again. Because McCarthy is a pussy.
On June 21, the day Republicans voted to censure Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), Democrats stood on the House floor and shouted âShame!â at their GOP colleagues. As the spectacle was taking place, one of the leaders of the demonstration, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), was standing in the well of the House near the speaker's podium and delivered some harsh words to his fellow Californian.
âThis is pathetic,â Swalwell allegedly told McCarthy, who was presiding over the House at the time. âYouâre weak. Youâre a weak man."
As the story goes, McCarthy was visibly upset with Swalwell. âHe had a vein popping out of his forehead,â one member told The Daily Beast, in a likely flourish of storytelling. Another Democratic member who witnessed the exchange said McCarthy stared down Swalwell for about 10 seconds before walking away.
But the next day is when things got interesting. On June 22, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Capitol Hill for a joint address to Congress. Just before Modi took the Speakerâs podium, Swalwell was on the House floor, making his way to a bathroom just outside the chamber on the Republican side.
Thatâs when McCarthy saw him.
âMcCarthy said, âIf you ever say something like that to me again, Iâm gonna kick the shit out of you,ââ a member claimed to The Daily Beast.
Another member who witnessed the exchange provided even more context: âThey were in each otherâs faces. Basically nose-to-nose. And Swalwell said something like, âAre we really gonna do this?ââ
After some back-and-forth, with chests puffed out, McCarthy issued a challenge to Swalwell: âCall me a pussy again, and Iâll kick your ass,â the Speaker allegedly said.
While both members told nearly identical versions of this story, they both delivered Swalwellâs response in exactly the same way.
âYou. Are. A. Pussy,â Swalwell told McCarthy.
After both men stared each other down for another moment, McCarthy eventually relented. He stepped to the side and let Swalwell through to the bathroomâwithout kicking his assâand carried on with his duty hosting the leader of a major U.S. ally in the House chamber.
âYou Are a P*ssyâ: McCarthy and Swalwell Get in House Floor Feud
On June 21, the day Republicans voted to censure Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), Democrats stood on the House floor and shouted âShame!â at their GOP colleagues. As the spectacle was taking place, one of the leaders of the demonstration, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), was standing in the well of the House near the speaker's podium and delivered some harsh words to his fellow Californian.
âThis is pathetic,â Swalwell allegedly told McCarthy, who was presiding over the House at the time. âYouâre weak. Youâre a weak man."
As the story goes, McCarthy was visibly upset with Swalwell. âHe had a vein popping out of his forehead,â one member told The Daily Beast, in a likely flourish of storytelling. Another Democratic member who witnessed the exchange said McCarthy stared down Swalwell for about 10 seconds before walking away.
But the next day is when things got interesting. On June 22, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Capitol Hill for a joint address to Congress. Just before Modi took the Speakerâs podium, Swalwell was on the House floor, making his way to a bathroom just outside the chamber on the Republican side.
Thatâs when McCarthy saw him.
âMcCarthy said, âIf you ever say something like that to me again, Iâm gonna kick the shit out of you,ââ a member claimed to The Daily Beast.
Another member who witnessed the exchange provided even more context: âThey were in each otherâs faces. Basically nose-to-nose. And Swalwell said something like, âAre we really gonna do this?ââ
After some back-and-forth, with chests puffed out, McCarthy issued a challenge to Swalwell: âCall me a pussy again, and Iâll kick your ass,â the Speaker allegedly said.
While both members told nearly identical versions of this story, they both delivered Swalwellâs response in exactly the same way.
âYou. Are. A. Pussy,â Swalwell told McCarthy.
After both men stared each other down for another moment, McCarthy eventually relented. He stepped to the side and let Swalwell through to the bathroomâwithout kicking his assâand carried on with his duty hosting the leader of a major U.S. ally in the House chamber.