Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has launched a scathing attack on Republican congresswoman Nancy Mace, calling her one of the 'least ethical' and 'least respected' members of Congress. During an appearance on Fox News, McCarthy said he hopes Mace gets 'the help she needs', two years after she was among eight Republicans who voted to oust him from the speakership.
McCarthy made the remarks while discussing Representative Eric Swalwell, a Democrat who is running for California governor. He claimed that when he was speaker, votes on the 'least ethical' and 'least respected' lawmaker always ended in a tie between Swalwell and Mace. When host Jesse Watters suggested McCarthy must hate Mace, the former speaker denied it, saying he wants her to get help but not be in a position to make decisions.
McCarthy has previously targeted Mace in a 'revenge tour', raising over $5 million for her primary challenger last year. Despite this, Mace easily won renomination and was re-elected. Mace, who has shifted from a moderate to a hardline conservative, has acknowledged her isolation in Congress, saying she is 'an island of one' and does not get invited to parties.
This is not the first time a politician has suggested Mace needs professional help. After Mace attempted to censure Representative Ilhan Omar, Omar told her she belongs in 'rehab, not Congress'. Mace's office has not commented on McCarthy's remarks.
