Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) strongly criticized House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) amid an ongoing dispute between Democrats and Republicans as the potential government shutdown looms.
What Happened: Swalwell, on MSNBC's "Inside with Jen Psaki," on Sunday alleged that while McCarthy is the official speaker, he is essentially dividing his top role in Congress with former President Donald Trump, Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), reported The Hill.
"Kevin McCarthy is a spectator Speaker. He may have the title, but Donald Trump and Marjorie Taylor Greene and Matt Gaetz, they all share the job," Swalwell said.
Swalwell voiced concerns about McCarthy’s focus on preserving his position instead of working towards the welfare of millions who might be impacted by a potential government shutdown.
"The problem is, is that McCarthy is only worried about his own job, and keeping it, and not the jobs of your viewers — the millions who would be affected if we don't pay our troops, if we don't pay border agents, if we don't pay air traffic controllers."
The Democratic lawmaker expressed his concern about the House acting like a law firm catering to only one client, Trump. He underlined the pressing need for action on issues like healthcare costs, school safety, and student loan repayments, set to resume soon. "Again, instead, all they get from the House Republicans is action for one client, and that is, you know, the twice impeached, 91-count indicted former president."
Why It Matters: With the uncertainty surrounding the passage of the 12 appropriations bills, McCarthy finds himself in a precarious position, trying to appease various factions within his party to avert a government shutdown.
Last week, the speaker had promised to exclude Ukraine assistance from the Pentagon's budget bill following a vote against it by Greene and some hard-line Republicans.
President Joe Biden's campaign has also accused Trump of pushing for a government shutdown without regard for the potential impact on American families. Trump is allegedly encouraging Republican lawmakers to leverage the impending government funding deadline to withhold funds from the Justice Department (DOJ).
Meanwhile, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) on Friday said this push for a shutdown, influenced by Trump, could threaten the political futures of key advocates like Gaetz and Greene.
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