Redeem now - Speaker Kevin McCarthy reportedly threatened to beat up Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell.
- According to The Daily Beast, the stunning exchange came as the two men cursed each other out.
- Swalwell reportedly responded by calling McCarthy "a pussy."
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell nearly came to blows last month as the pair of Californians cursed at each other on the House floor, according to The Daily Beast.
The Daily Beast's Matt Fuller cited two Democratic lawmakers who claim the brief fracas is the talk of the Capitol. In particular, the report claimed some lawmakers are tickled over the fact that Swalwell faced off with the speaker, even if they may not be thrilled that his chosen insult was to call McCarthy "a pussy."
Just before the reported insult, McCarthy, according to the unnamed lawmakers, was nearly about to haul off on his fellow Californian.
"If you ever say something like that to me again, I'm gonna kick the shit out of you," an unnamed lawmaker quoted McCarthy as saying, according to The Daily Beast.
McCarthy was reportedly miffed that Swalwell called him "weak" on the House floor after House Republicans voted to censure Rep. Adam Schiff, yet another California lawmaker. At the time, McCarthy goaded his Democratic colleagues as their jeers and boos delayed his required reading of the resolution that formally admonished Schiff.
"This is pathetic," Swalwell told McCarthy, according to The Daily Beast. "You're weak. You're a weak man."
The speaker was still angry about it the following day when he saw Swalwell trying to leave the House floor. McCarthy then tried to block the Democrat as the pair proceeded to get in each other's faces. At one point, McCarthy issued a stern warning to his colleague.
"Call me a pussy again, and I'll kick your ass," McCarthy allegedly said.
Swalwell was undeterred. "You. Are. A. Pussy," Swalwell reportedly replied, emphasizing each word of his insult.
McCarthy eventually relented and the two continued with respective days.
The episode underlines the incredible tension that still exists in the Capitol. McCarthy and Swalwell have their own history. Before the House censured Schiff, McCarthy and his fellow Republicans kicked both Swalwell and Schiff off of the House Intelligence Committee.
Representatives for McCarthy and Swalwell did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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