Ky. Rep. McGarvey speaks on continued House contention

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) — The United States was without a Speaker of the House for more than two weeks.

Representatives voted on a new speaker today just a couple of hours ago, and Republican Mike Johnson secured enough votes to be elected.

Regardless, these past weeks have been hectic in the Capitol.

ABC 36 spoke with Rep. Morgan McGarvey (D-Ky.) to hear his thoughts on the situation — what McGarvey has called a civil war between Republicans ever since Kevin McCarthy was ousted.

“This is the first time in the history of our country that a Speaker has been ousted midterm,” McGarvey said.

Mcgarvey says these past weeks have been frustrating, and the government should be focused on other things.

“It has halted all government activity in the House at a time when we really need to be focused on priorities here at home with the budget and for our allies overseas,” he added.

He says the Democratic party has “always offered” a bipartisan path forward but for the Republican party.

“Every time a bipartisan path forward has been offered they have rejected it and it’s hurting the American people,” McGarvey said.

McGarvey says the way McCarthy was ousted should not happen again for future speakers of the House.

“Kevin McCarthy compromised with Matt Gates and Marjorie Taylor Greene and that crowd to say one member of the majority can remove the speaker – that was a change to the rules. All the Democrats opposed it because we knew this is what could happen. They’ve gotta change that rule. They’ve gotta get back to being serious about governing, and I hope that they accept a bipartisan path forward and for the next year so that we can pass a budget so that we can help our allies overseas so that we can pass the Farm Bill. And make sure that not only Kentucky’s farmers, but Kentucky’s kids are taken care of, and everything from supplemental nutritious assistance programs to school lunches. We have serious work to do and we just want to make sure that we have serious people to partner with and do it,” he said.