Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said Wednesday that former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) treated Republicans poorly during her time leading the House, recalling that she would sometimes "yell" at GOP lawmakers and tell them they "shouldn't be in the room."
The comments came during an appearance on Fox News's "Jesse Watters Primetime," where McCarthy was discussing a graphic comparing how conservatives and liberals perceive one another. McCarthy agreed with sentiments expressed about how most liberals view conservatives.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic allies of Pelosi have not yet responded publicly to McCarthy's remarks, but defenders of her speakership note she successfully managed a diverse caucus through multiple legislative cycles while achieving major Democratic priorities including the Affordable Care Act and COVID-19 relief packages. Progressives argue that firm leadership was necessary given Republican opposition tactics, and point out that bipartisan tensions have existed in Congress throughout American history regardless of which party controls the gavel.
What the Right Is Saying
Republicans have long accused Pelosi of dismissive treatment of the minority party during her 20 years as speaker. Conservative commentators on Fox News echoed McCarthy's characterization, arguing it reflects a broader pattern of Democrats treating Republican input as illegitimate rather than legitimate democratic opposition. Some Republicans contend that such behavior contributed to increased partisan polarization in Congress.
What the Numbers Show
The 117th and 118th Congresses saw some of the lowest bipartisan cooperation scores on record, with party-line votes comprising roughly 60-65 percent of all recorded votes in each chamber, according to Voteview data. The Cook Political Report's partisan lean index shows congressional districts have become increasingly sorted by party affiliation over the past three decades.
The Bottom Line
The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between the parties as both sides assess blame for congressional dysfunction. McCarthy's remarks come as he remains active in Republican politics following his removal from the speakership in October 2023. Pelosi, who served as speaker from 2007-2011 and again from 2019-2023, has not held a formal leadership role since leaving office.