GOP House Leadership Take Away Dems Hideaway Offices
In a surprising turn of events on Tuesday, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) was ousted as House Speaker, leaving Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) as the acting speaker pro tempore until a new one can be selected next week. And in one of his first acts as the temporary leader, McHenry has issued an eviction notice to former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), giving her until Wednesday to vacate her Capitol hideaway office.
JUST IN: Temporary House Speaker Patrick McHenry (R-NC) has ordered Nancy Pelosi to vacant her office (Speaker's Office she refused to leave and McCarthy wouldn't make her leave) by Wednesday..
This is epic...
— Matt Couch (@RealMattCouch) October 4, 2023
According to an email sent to Pelosi's office and viewed by POLITICO, McHenry's top aide wrote, "Please vacate the space tomorrow, the room will be re-keyed." This move was made in order to assign the office to "speaker office use," a decision that has raised eyebrows and caused Pelosi to speak out against the abrupt eviction.
The office in question is one of the highly sought-after hideaway offices in the Capitol, a privilege that is only granted to a select few House lawmakers. This stark contrast to the Senate, where these offices are commonplace, has made the news of Pelosi's eviction even more surprising.
However, Pelosi was not the only one served with an eviction notice. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD), the House majority leader, was also asked to vacate his hideaway office. This move is seen by many as a tactic for Republicans to gain some level of revenge for the Democrats' collaboration with Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL).
Pelosi, who was not in DC at the time of the eviction notice, issued a statement through her spokesperson, labeling the move as "a sharp departure from tradition." She also reminded the public of her actions as Speaker in giving former Speaker Dennis Hastert a "significantly larger suite of offices for as long as he wished."
McHenry to Pelosi/Hoyer: "Put everything you own and like in a box. And when I come back, we'll talk about what's going to happen to the box." pic.twitter.com/IV43bz59i0
— Ben Domenech (@bdomenech) October 4, 2023
McHenry's order to vacate Pelosi and Hoyer's offices is a sign of the political turmoil that has engulfed the House. With the abrupt resignation of McCarthy and the uncertainty surrounding the selection of a new speaker, Republicans are scrambling to find someone who can garner the 218 votes needed for the position. Otherwise, they risk taking ownership of the political disaster that has taken over the House.
Pelosi's absence from DC during the sudden power shift has also raised questions about the timing of the eviction notice. It is possible that this move was made in an attempt to catch the former Speaker off guard and take advantage of her being away.
Despite the controversy surrounding the eviction, Pelosi remained composed and focused on honoring the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein's memorial arrangements in California. However, with her previously sought-after hideaway office now being reassigned, it remains to be seen how Pelosi will reconcile this political blow in the midst of a tumultuous time in the House.
whether you think it's right or wrong, Republicans are going to exact revenge for a long while over the MTV vote. yes, it was an internal party squabble. but the GOP thinks Dems shouldn't have sided w Gaetz.
remember: the majority controls the Capitol. Rooms, codels, etc. https://t.co/vA1spcmSdl
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) October 4, 2023