‘That was a bit rude’: CNN’s Erin Burnett chides the GOP lawmaker for calling her ‘young lady’ while defending Kevin McCarthy – as he puts it on the ‘Clinton News Network’
- Texas Rep. Troy Nehls took to CNN to discuss the ongoing House speaker election
- During his defense of Kevin McCarthy, he called CNN host Erin Burnett “young lady” and referred to her network as the “Clinton News Network.”
- Lower house Republicans again failed to select a House Speaker Thursday as 20 GOP members remained opposed to Kevin McCarthy
In an interview with CNN, Texas Congressman Troy Nehls called presenter Erin Burnett a “young lady” before referring to the Clinton News Network channel.
After an 11th round of voting that didn’t produce a new Speaker of the House Thursday, Nehls spoke to Burnett about his unwavering support for GOP leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy.
OutFront host Burnett asked Nehls if he’s willing to continue voting over the next few days as Republicans try to reach a consensus on who will be the chamber’s next leader.
Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) called CNN anchor Erin Burnett a “young lady” and referred to her network as the “Clinton News Network” during an interview Thursday night.
Burnett spoke to Nehls, a member of the Freedom Caucus who nominated McCarthy ahead of Thursday’s third round of voting
“I’m a combat veteran and served in law enforcement for 30 years,” Nehls said. “I can be here until July.”
It was Nehls who rose to nominate McCarthy for Thursday’s third-round voting.
Burnett replied: “Is that a metaphor for how you feel about it? … is there nothing at this point to break or shake (your support for McCarthy)?’
To which Nehls replied, “Listen, I don’t know if you’re aware of this, young lady, but I’m also a member of the House Freedom Caucus.”
“So I’m one of those America First patriots. I’ve told my friends, my colleagues in the Freedom Caucus, that I don’t think this is the fight we should be fighting.
“I think the real battle begins when we start drafting legislation and policy in the 118th Congress under a Speaker McCarthy,” he said.
Burnett then said, “I suppose when you called me a young lady that was a compliment.”
“Of course it was. It’s my first time on the Clinton News Network,” Nehls said.
To which Burnett replied, “Okay, I thought that was a bit rude.”
“But I’m glad you’re speaking to me and I will treat you with the respect you deserve,” she added.
Rep. Kevin McCarthy thanks Rep. Troy Nehls after his nomination speech for Thursday’s third round of speaker voting
McCarthy has failed to secure the necessary votes from his own caucus to become speaker of the House of Representatives this week. The House adjourned Thursday night after another long day of voting
Burnett, a Texas congressman and former sheriff, said he disagreed with the “never Kevin” stance shared by some members of the Freedom Caucus
The House adjourned again Thursday night, ending a third day of the 118th Convention without a speaker.
Lawmakers voted to call it a day after four rounds of voting since midday and will pick up things where they left off on Friday.
Before the adjournment, rumors began swirling in the Capitol complex, and what’s more, struggling leader McCarthy was on the verge of brokering a deal with the 20 reticent Republicans who voted against him for the top job.
McCarthy has lost 11 historic rounds for speaker, the most since 1859.
McCarthy has been reported to have made some significant new concessions to his 20 critics, including a measure that would allow a GOP lawmaker to trigger a vote for a new House Speaker — known as a motion to evict the chairman — according to CNN.
In addition to the motion to evict the chairman, which is set to a vote, McCarthy has also reportedly promised Conservatives votes on border security and term-limits legislation.
He also reportedly agreed to give far-right House Freedom Caucus members more seats on the House Rules Committee. The powerful body acts as a gatekeeper for all laws that come down to the ground.