House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) mocked Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) during an interview over the weekend over his past relationship with a suspected Chinese spy.
McCarthy made the remarks during an appearance on CBS News’s “Face The Nation” with host Margaret Brennan while discussing newly elected Rep. George Santos (R-NY).
“Approval level, according to Gallup, of Congress, is at 22%. Approval level of journalists is also not very high, I’ll give you that,” Brennan said. “But doesn’t it further wear down credibility when you put someone who is under state, local, federal and international investigation as a representative of your party on committees?”
McCarthy fired back, “Are you talking about Swalwell?”
“I’m talking about George Santos, representative from New York,” Brennan replied.
WATCH:
"Doesn't it further wear down credibility when you put someone who's under…investigation as a representative of your party on committees?"@SpeakerMcCarthy: "Are you talking about Swalwell?" 😂 pic.twitter.com/f4zJUnhixE
— Jake Schneider (@jacobkschneider) January 29, 2023
TRANSCRIPT:
MARGARET BRENNAN: Approval level, according to Gallup, of Congress, is at 22%. Approval level of journalists is also not very high, I’ll give you that. But doesn’t it further wear down credibility when you put someone who is under state, local, federal and international investigation as a representative of your party on committees–
SPEAKER MCCARTHY: Are you talking about Swalwell?
MARGARET BRENNAN: I’m talking about George Santos, representative from New York.
SPEAKER MCCARTHY: We should have that discussion. So let’s have that discussion. You want to bring up Santos, and let’s talk about the institution itself, because I agree wholeheartedly that Congress is broken. And I think you- I think your listeners or viewers should understand what proxy voting was because it never took place because it never took place in Congress before.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I’m asking you about George Santos.
SPEAKER MCCARTHY: I know you asked me a question. Let me ask you–
MARGARET BRENNAN: Because you could put it to a vote to try to oust him–
SPEAKER MCCARTHY: You asked me a question. I’d appreciate if you let me answer. So let’s go through this because it’s not one simple answer. Congress is broken based upon what has transpired in the last Congress. The American public wasn’t able to come in to see us. People voted by proxy, meaning you didn’t have to show up for work, Bills didn’t go- have to go through committee. So what I’m trying to do is open the people’s house back for the people so their voices there- so people are held accountable. So now, as I just had in the last week, for the first time in seven years, every member got to vote.