House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthyKevin Owen McCarthyHouse Republicans hopeful about bipartisan path forward on police reform legislation Trump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names McConnell: States should make decision on Confederate statues MORE (R-Calif.) on Tuesday suggested that Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiTrump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names Black lawmakers unveil bill to remove Confederate statues from Capitol Pelosi: Georgia primary ‘disgrace’ could preview an election debacle in November MORE (D-Calif.) has been withholding the articles of impeachment to prevent Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE (I-Vt.) and other White House hopefuls in the Senate from campaigning during the upcoming trial.
McCarthy, speaking at a press conference in the Capitol, alleged that there were questions among Democratic leaders “about why she held them.”
“If there’s anyone who gained from this, it would be anybody who’s running for president that’s not in the U.S. Senate,” McCarthy said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Pelosi has consistently said since mid-December that she wanted more clarity on the how the GOP-controlled Senate would conduct President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE’s impeachment trial before sending over the two articles.
The trial is expected to start next week and may last several weeks, possibly bumping up against the Feb. 3 Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary the following week.
McCarthy went on to say that Sanders “actually has a chance to win [the Democratic presidential nomination] but not now that Nancy Pelosi has held these documents.”
Sanders has been climbing in nationwide polls, where former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Trump finalizing executive order calling on police to use ‘force with compassion’ The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook MORE is the front-runner, and leads in some surveys of early voting states.
McCarthy said “if you look at the true political nature” of Pelosi’s decision to withhold the two articles of impeachment, it was “to harm one campaign and give a benefit to another.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Drew Hammill, a spokesman for Pelosi, tweeted a response to McCarthy’s remarks.
“Impeachment has nothing to do with politics or the presidential race. As usual, the Minority Leader has no idea what he’s talking about,” Hammill wrote.
Impeachment has nothing to do with politics or the presidential race. As usual, the Minority Leader has no idea what he’s talking about. https://t.co/XSuQ517a7K
— Drew Hammill (@Drew_Hammill) January 14, 2020
ADVERTISEMENT
McCarthy also called on Biden to pause his campaign during the impeachment trial that Democratic Sens. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenWarren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Joint Chiefs chairman says he regrets participating in Trump photo-op | GOP senators back Joint Chiefs chairman who voiced regret over Trump photo-op | Senate panel approves 0B defense policy bill Trump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names MORE (Mass.), Amy KlobucharAmy KlobucharHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Democrats demand Republican leaders examine election challenges after Georgia voting chaos Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk MORE (Minn.) and Michael BennetMichael Farrand BennetSome realistic solutions for income inequality Democratic senators kneel during moment of silence for George Floyd 21 senators urge Pentagon against military use to curb nationwide protests MORE (Colo.) will also be expected to attend instead of campaigning.
“The only rightful thing of Joe Biden is to make a pledge not to campaign while Bernie Sanders cannot,” McCarthy said Tuesday.
House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem JeffriesHakeem Sekou JeffriesHillicon Valley: Georgia officials launch investigation after election day chaos | Senate report finds Chinese telecom groups operated in US without proper oversight IBM terminates facial recognition technology business Democrats unveil sweeping legislation in response to protests of police brutality MORE (D-N.Y.), a member of Democratic leadership, rejected McCarthy’s comments.
“We will not take campaign advice from Kevin McCarthy,” Jeffries said at a press conference shortly after McCarthy’s remarks.
The House is expected to vote on a resolution to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate on Wednesday.
Updated at 12:55 p.m.
Click Here: Golf special