In his latest comment during this week's contentious election for U.S. House Speaker, Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Saks) called the Republicans refusing to support Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) "legislative terrorists."
A handful of conservative Republicans, namely some involved with the Freedom Caucus, have denied support to McCarthy because of his apparent unwillingness to address rule changes made by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) during her tenure in the leadership role.
McCarthy failed to obtain the 218 votes necessary to earn the speakership, and the House GOP has been deadlocked since Tuesday. However, the parties are reportedly negotiating to reach a consensus while they have a majority in the House.
The House, which again failed to establish a Speaker in the eighth ballot Thursday, will not be able to address any other business until a Speaker is chosen. Representatives will keep voting until one is reached.
Rogers, the ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, suggested Tuesday that any Republican who refuses to support McCarthy should be stripped of committee assignments.
Rogers told Daily Mail on Wednesday that the McCarthy opponents were "20 belligerents" and "legislative terrorists who have no problem killing the hostage." He also suggested that the establishment GOP may start trying to "cross the aisle" and secure some votes from Democrats by offering concessions if the Republicans don't come together this week.
Sources tell 1819 News that Rogers' outspokenness in caucus is doing perhaps more harm than good because it has solidified support among the McCarthy dissenters.
Freedom Caucus ally Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) told Fox News on Wednesday that Rogers threatened him and others ahead of the third round of voting on Tuesday and described the meeting as "hostile." He said he thinks McCarthy lost votes as a consequence.
The Texas Republican affirmed that he and his allies will "not back down."
1819 News reached out to Rogers's office for comment specifically about his disputes with other Republicans.
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