Current:Home > NewsDemocrats evicted from hideaway offices after Kevin McCarthy's ouster-InfoLens
Democrats evicted from hideaway offices after Kevin McCarthy's ouster
View Date:2024-12-23 11:27:57
Two longtime Democratic leaders, Reps. Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer, have been evicted from their hideaway offices in the Capitol in the aftermath of Kevin McCarthy's ouster as House Speaker.
Pelosi, who stepped down as Democratic leader last year after being in leadership since 2003, confirmed on Tuesday night that Rep. Patrick McHenry, the new speaker pro tempore, had ordered she "immediately vacate my office in the Capitol."
"This eviction is a sharp departure from tradition," Pelosi said. "As Speaker, I gave former Speaker Hastert a significantly larger suite of offices for as long as he wished. Office space doesn't matter to me, but it seems to be important to them. Now that the new Republican Leadership has settled this important matter, let's hope they get to work on what's truly important for the American people."
The secret hideaway offices are unofficial, unlisted offices throughout the Capitol building, identified only by a room number. They're generally given to senators, but a few higher-ranking House members have them, too. They vary in size, with the grandest hideaways going to the most senior lawmakers.
Pelosi is currently in San Francisco for the funeral of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who died Sunday at the age of 90. As a result, Pelosi said, "I am unable to retrieve my belongings at this time."
Hoyer, who served as House majority leader and is one of the most senior members of Congress, was also evicted from his hideaway office, a senior staffer confirmed to CBS News.
The hideaway offices vary in size and location — some are windowless rooms on the basement level with not much room for more than a small couch and desk, while others have high ceilings, chandeliers and big windows. Here's a photo of the hideaway office of the late Sen. Robert Byrd:
It's not clear why the two Democrats were tossed out of their hideaway offices Tuesday night, but the evictions came just hours after the historic vote that removed McCarthy as speaker, the first time in history a speaker has been removed by a vote. Eight Republicans voted against McCarthy, joining all of the Democrats, whom McCarthy blamed Tuesday night for not giving him support.
"I think today was a political decision by the Democrats," McCarthy said. "And I think the things they have done in the past hurt the institution."
In an appearance on "Face the Nation" on Sunday, McCarthy said Rep. Matt Gaetz — who led the rebellion against him — had reached out to Democrats to oust him.
But McCarthy had relied on Democrats' support just a few days earlier when he put forward a continuing resolution to fund the government until Nov. 17, averting a government shutdown at the last minute. Despite getting support from every Democrat in the House on that continuing resolution, McCarthy said on "Face the Nation" that "Democrats tried to do everything they can, not to let it pass."
That appearance on "Face the Nation" may have played a role in his downfall. Ahead of the vote to oust him, Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar said that a clip of his interview on "Face the Nation" was played at the Democratic caucus meeting.
"It is that continuation of being a fraud being somebody who lies; somebody who clearly does not have a hold on reality," Omar said Tuesday. "We know that we offered more of the votes as Democrats to pass the CR than his own conference. He couldn't deliver votes for his own CR. Democrats saved the day. And he goes on TV hours later and says Republicans did it, Republicans were leading, which is insane."
- In:
- Nancy Pelosi
- Steny Hoyer
- Kevin McCarthy
veryGood! (32756)
Related
- Brian Austin Green’s Fiancée Sharna Burgess Celebrates Megan Fox’s Pregnancy News
- Governor appoints new adjutant general of the Mississippi National Guard
- Evy Leibfarth 'very proud' after winning Olympic bronze in canoe slalom
- Exonerated murder suspect Christopher Dunn freed after 30 years, Missouri court delay
- Harriet Tubman posthumously named a general in Veterans Day ceremony
- US stands by decision that 50 million air bag inflators are dangerous, steps closer to huge recall
- Judge approves settlement in long-running lawsuit over US detention of Iraqi nationals
- Claim to Fame: '80s Brat Pack Legend's Relative Revealed
- A $1 billion proposal is the latest plan to refurbish and save the iconic Houston Astrodome
- 'Top Chef' star Shirley Chung diagnosed with stage 4 tongue cancer
Ranking
- Diddy's ex-bodyguard sues rape accuser for defamation over claims of 2001 assault
- By the dozen, accusers tell of rampant sexual abuse at Pennsylvania juvenile detention facilities
- Lady Gaga's Olympics opening ceremony number was prerecorded 'for safety reasons'
- Why Below Deck's Kate Chastain Is Skipping Aesha Scott's Wedding
- Seattle man faces 5 assault charges in random sidewalk stabbings
- MLB trade deadline winners and losers: What were White Sox doing?
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword, I Will Turn This Car Around!
- Is Simone Biles competing today? When star gymnast competes in women's all-around final.
Recommendation
-
Kalen DeBoer, Jalen Milroe save Alabama football season, as LSU's Brian Kelly goes splat
-
An infant died after being forgotten in the back seat of a hot car, Louisiana authorities say
-
Ben Affleck Purchases L.A. Home on the Same Day Jennifer Lopez Sells Her Condo
-
Medal predictions for track and field events at the 2024 Paris Olympics
-
Oregon's Dan Lanning, Indiana's Curt Cignetti pocket big bonuses after Week 11 wins
-
US boxer trailed on Olympic judges' scorecards entering final round. How he advanced
-
Olympics gymnastics live updates: Shinnosuke Oka wins gold, US men finish outside top 10
-
US stands by decision that 50 million air bag inflators are dangerous, steps closer to huge recall