Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., has been known to hurl insults at the president and other political leaders from the House floor, but on Wednesday she was pounding the gavel and calling for decorum.
Democrats appreciated the irony of the Georgia Republican trying to wrangle an unruly chamber when Greene has sometimes been the disruptor. For example, she shouted out that President Joe Biden was a “liar” during his State of the Union address this year.
But on Wednesday afternoon, she was managing House proceedings while Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., spoke on the chamber floor about the debt limit, claiming the GOP was the only political party in Washington, D.C., with a plan to pay the nation’s bills. His missive drew backlash from Democrats in the chamber, including some who yelled out inaudible comments.
Greene pounded the gavel and called for order as Scalise called for decorum from “the other side,” referring to Democrats.
The heckling continued, prompting Greene to pound the gavel again and say, “The members are reminded to abide by decorum of the House.”
Laughter erupted and Democratic Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Cori Bush of Missouri were shouting from their seats, as Greene banged the gavel multiple times.
Greene did not immediately respond to calls for comment.
Why it matters:Last-minute deal on debt ceiling could still spark recession even if US avoids default
Debt ceiling negotiations intensify
The squabble Wednesday further reflects the tension between House Republicans, Biden and House Democrats as the debt ceiling fight intensifies.
Once the laughter died down, seriousness set in again as Scalise continued his floor comments.
“While some in this town might be interested in theatrics, House Republicans took action,” Scalise said, referring to a House GOP bill that raises the debt ceiling and includes substantial cuts to government aid.
“If they don’t like it they can amend it, that is part of the legislative process,” he said of Democrats.
“Let’s get our jobs done. We’ve done ours. They need to do theirs,” he added.
Shortly after, Scalise told House members they could leave town for Memorial Day weekend, but he warned them they could be asked to return, with a one-day notice, to vote on a potential debt limit deal.
Negotiations:Debt ceiling talks ‘still far apart’ as Republicans balk at giving any concessions to Democrats
