Swalwell: McCarthy shares Speakership with Trump, Greene and Gaetz

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) on Sunday criticized Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s (R-Calif.) ability to govern and said that while McCarthy holds the official title, he effectively shares the top job in Congress with former President Trump, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.). 

“Kevin McCarthy is a spectator Speaker. He may have the title, but Donald Trump and Marjorie Taylor Greene and Matt Gaetz, they all share the job,” Swalwell said on MSNBC’s “Inside with Jen Psaki.”

“The problem is, is that McCarthy is only worried about his own job, and keeping it, and not the jobs of your viewers — the millions who would be affected if we don't pay our troops, if we don’t pay border agents, if we don't pay air traffic controllers,” Swalwell said, referring to potential consequences of a government shutdown. 

Swalwell’s comments come as the House seems all but certain to fail to pass the 12 appropriations bills by the end of the month and unlikely to pass a continuing resolution to continue funding as lawmakers finish the appropriations bills.

McCarthy has found himself in a difficult position, with multiple factions from within the Republican party having different demands as he tries to appease them and avert a government shutdown. Swalwell suggested that in addition to House GOP members’ demands, McCarthy must consider Trump’s demands. 

“The House, unfortunately, has become a law firm with just one client: Donald Trump. And, again, it's at the expense of American people who have been needs on bringing their health care costs down, keeping their kids safe in school, you know, just a couple, days student loan repayments are going to start back up. And so, people are going to feel the pain there,” Swalwell said. 

“They need action on these issues,” he added. “Again, instead, all they get from the House Republicans is action for one client, and that is, you know, the twice impeached, 91-count indicted former president.”