NM's representatives: McCarthy 'lied' and 'brought chaos'

“Witnessing history” was how Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., described the vote to remove Republican Kevin McCarthy from his position as Speaker of the House on Tuesday afternoon.

Stansbury said during a virtual press call held on Tuesday that Democrats voted unanimously to remove McCarthy due to their collective feeling that he is unfit to continue serving as speaker. This comes after McCarthy worked with Democrats this past weekend to pass a continuing resolution that averted a government shutdown.

“McCarthy has lied, he has gone back on promises and deals that he has made, and what we’ve come to the conclusion unanimously over is that he is wholly untrustworthy, wholly undeserving to continue to serve the American people in a leadership role,” she said.

Stansbury was not alone in her criticism of McCarthy. Fellow New Mexico Democratic Rep. Gabe Vasquez said on X, formerly Twitter, “Americans deserve better than a Speaker who took us to the brink of a debt default, a government shutdown and who has brought chaos and complete dysfunction to Congress.”

Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, D-N.M., echoed the statements of her colleague Vasquez concerning the chaos under McCarthy, saying in a news release “never before have we seen such chaos, right wing extremism, and threat to our constitutional promise.”

Stansbury says the entire Democratic caucus stands united behind the nomination of Rep. and Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y.

Fernández, said in a news release on Tuesday afternoon, “Democrats are unified and passionate in our support of Leader Jeffries.”

This is not the first time Democrats have chosen Jeffries as their nominee for Speaker. He was up for vote for the role back in January when McCarthy was elected.

Democrats will face a near impossible task to elevate Jeffries to the speakership, due to Republicans holding the majority within the House. They currently have 212 votes total, but need 218 to get him over the hump.

When asked about the possibility of convincing some Republicans to vote for Jeffries, Stansbury said it will ultimately come down to Republicans’ willingness to put country, not power, first.

“I don’t think that the Republicans are willing to give up that power, they would rather shake hands with the Devil and continue to sow discord and to sow chaos than to elect an effective leader,” she said.