Tensions Flare on Capitol Hill as Government Shutdown Looms

Two separate incidents involving Republican lawmakers unfolded on Capitol Hill Tuesday, igniting tensions as a potential government shutdown draws near.

Senate Hearing Gets Heated

During a Senate hearing, things took an intense turn as Senator Markwayne Mullin, an Oklahoma Republican, stood up to confront Teamsters President Sean O’Brien. In response, Senator Bernie Sanders, the independent from Vermont presiding over the hearing, commanded Mullin to sit down, reminding him of his role as a United States senator.

Accusations of Shoving

In another alarming incident, Representative Kevin McCarthy, the California Republican who recently held the position of House speaker, has been accused of shoving fellow GOP lawmaker Representative Tim Burchett. Burchett, a representative from Tennessee, claims that McCarthy approached him from behind and delivered a "cheap shot." It should be noted that Burchett played a role in McCarthy's ousting as speaker.

Burchett recounted the incident to NPR reporter Claudia Grisales, who documented the details. McCarthy later denied the allegations in an interview with CNN, stating that he did not shove or elbow Burchett and emphasizing the narrowness of the hallway where the incident occurred.

Ongoing Government Funding Negotiations

As midnight on Friday approaches, the federal government faces the possibility of a partial shutdown if lawmakers fail to reach an agreement on a short-term funding bill.

House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed optimism early Tuesday regarding the passage of a stopgap funding measure that would avert a partial government shutdown.

Read: Ahead of House vote to avoid government shutdown, Speaker Johnson says, ‘You have to fight fights that you can win’