Texas Rep. Troy Nehls sneaked in a blistering burn in an appearance on CNN Thursday, saying it was his “first time on the Clinton News Network.”
Discussing the House GOP battle over the speakership, the former U.S. Army major and county sheriff smirked as he invoked the derisive moniker conservatives use to describe the far-left cable news channel. He dropped the dig as he explained that he meant no offense when he had earlier referred to Erin Burnett as “young lady.”
“I’ll assume when you called me a young lady it was a compliment,” Burnett said as she wrapped up the segment.
“Of course it was,” Nehls replied. “This is my first time on the Clinton News Network.”
Troy Nehls on CNN: “This is my first time on the Clinton News Network.” pic.twitter.com/ssnkB84MBh
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) January 6, 2023
Burnett shot back that the remark was “in my opinion rude,” but graciously thanked him for appearing on the network, which under new President Chris Licht has said it wants to shed its reputation as far-left.
Nehls is a member of the House Freedom Caucus, a group of about 40 conservative lawmakers, some of whom are seeking to block Rep. Kevin McCarthy from becoming the next speaker of the House. Nehls said he differed with those colleagues and is backing McCarthy.
“Listen, I don’t know if you’re aware of young lady, but I am also a member of the House Freedom Caucus,” Nehls said. “So I am one of those America First patriots. And I have said to my friends, my colleagues in the Freedom Caucus, that I don’t believe that this is the battle we should be waging. I think the real battle starts when we start drafting legislation and policy in the 118th Congress under a Speaker McCarthy.”
The House has held 11 votes since Tuesday in an effort to name a speaker to succeed Nancy Pelosi. Republicans eked out a slim, 222-213 majority in the November midterms, and, barring a rules change, McCarthy needs 218 votes to become speaker. So far, 20 Republicans have refused to vote for him.
Voting was expected to resume Friday after another night of bargaining between McCarthy and the holdout group.