House Republicans pile on 'dead dog' Kevin McCarthy as shutdown draws closer

With a federal government shutdown looming, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-California) has been frantically trying to work out some type of funding agreement with members of his caucus. But talks with far-right House Freedom Caucus Republicans haven't been going well, and it is looking more and more like a shutdown will not be avoided.

In an article published by Politico on September 20, journalist Matt Berg describes the chaotic environment within McCarthy's caucus — including ongoing attacks on the speaker from fellow House Republicans.

Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Indiana), for example, attacked McCarthy in a September 20 statement, saying, "It is a shame that our weak speaker cannot even commit to having a commission to discuss our looming fiscal catastrophe. Our founding fathers would be rolling over in their graves to see how this institution is betraying our Republic for personal political ambitions and our children will be ashamed of another worthless Congress."

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Tensions between McCarthy and Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida), Berg notes, aren't letting up. And Gaetz has accused McCarthy of "lying like a dead dog."

Berg also points out that Rep. Nancy Mace (R-South Carolina) has criticized McCarthy for not holding individual votes on spending bills.

READ MORE: Republicans in disarray as government shutdown fight looms: report

Read Politico's full article at this link.