Pelosi says she hasn't spoken with McCarthy since ouster

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said she hasn't spoken with her fellow former Speaker, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), since he was ousted as the GOP leader last month.

In an interview published Sunday, journalist Brian Tyler Cohen asked Pelosi if she has been in touch with her successor as Speaker since he was removed in early October.

“No, we just haven't had the occasion,” Pelosi told Cohen, adding that she had heard that McCarthy blamed her for his ousting. 

“I’m so powerful,” Pelosi said jokingly. “Just learn how to count, and then you'll have the votes to do it.” 

Pelosi joined all other Democrats in voting to remove McCarthy, joining a group of eight rebel Republicans to vacate the Speaker. Democrats instead cast their votes for Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.).

Pelosi last month denied that she broke a promise to McCarthy when he was removed as House Speaker. She noted various concerns raised by Democrats that led to McCarthy being removed from his role, including the Republican impeachment inquiry into President Biden.

“If you don’t respect the institution, then don’t expect us to bail you out,” she said at the time.

One of the first moves by McCarthy's temporary replacement, Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.), after the October vote was to kick Pelosi out of her Capitol hideaway office.

The longtime congresswoman told Cohen in the new interview that her relationship with McCarthy isn’t important right now.

"Right now, we must win the election," she said of next year's presidential election.

McCarthy’s ouster came after he worked with Democrats to bring a government funding bill to the floor hours before a shutdown would have taken effect.

The historic vote was brought on by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), as he and seven other Republican lawmakers joined their Democratic colleagues in a 216-210 vote to remove McCarthy.