The Senate’s Democratic leader Chuck Schumer warned that the “pandemonium” Congress descended into following Kevin McCarthy’s removal as House speaker threatens national security, and illustrates the perils of allowing rightwing extremists to wield political power.
“Yesterday, a small band of Maga extremists plunged Congress into pandemonium,” the New York Democrat said on the chamber’s floor.
“What happened yesterday is a failure entirely of the House Republicans own doing – a disaster in the making, to the great detriment of Congress, and to the detriment to the American people.”
The House is now adjourned until next week, when lawmakers will return to vote on a new speaker. North Carolina Republican Patrick McHenry currently occupies the chair on an acting basis with limited powers, and Schumer warned the vacuum could have implications for the country’s ability to defend itself.
“We find ourselves in a dangerous situation. With about 40 days to go before the government shuts down, the House has ground completely to a halt. Until Republicans stop their infighting, the House can vote on no bills, no appropriations work can get done. If God forbid some national crisis were to occur that demands immediate action, the House would be unable – unable – to quickly respond,” Schumer warned.