Democrat Nancy Pelosi on Republican Kevin McCarthy: "He's such an idiot"

Enlarge image

Nancy Pelosi and Kevin McCarthy (January 2019)

Photo: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / AFP

Most recently, the dispute over the composition of the Capitol Storm Committee escalated completely.

Now the leadership of the US Democrats and Republicans have clashed on another issue as well.

It was about the new corona rules in the House of Representatives.

The Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi even allowed herself to be carried away to insult her Republican counterpart Kevin McCarthy.

"He's such an idiot," she said of the conservative politician.

Journalists had asked her to comment on his recent statements on mask regulations in the US powerhouse.

McCarthy had claimed - without any evidence - that the mask rules were a Democratic political move.

The British Guardian, among others, reported on the dispute.

“Make no mistake - the threat of wearing a mask is not scientifically justified.

Rather, it is hatched by the liberal government, which wants to continue the pandemic status permanently, ”McCarthy had spread on Twitter.

On Tuesday, the chief medic in the US Capitol changed the guidelines.

Since then, masks have been mandatory at meetings in the House of Representatives with a few exceptions.

Penalties can be imposed for disregard

For the Senate, the other chamber of the Congress, a mask recommendation applies - but not an obligation.

According to CNN, McCarthy took up this point.

He said of Pelosi: "If she's that smart, she can explain to me how the scientific rules differ between the Senate and the House of Representatives."

More and more cases - fewer and fewer vaccinations

Despite the threat of punishment, according to the US media, several Republicans without a mask recently appeared at meetings.

MP Lauren Boebert even went so far as to demonstratively throw back a mask offered to her by an employee.

The delta variant of the coronavirus is also on the rise in the USA.

The number of infections has recently increased significantly, while the vaccination campaign is stagnating.

On Tuesday, the disease authority Centers for Disease Control changed the mask specification.

Accordingly, it is now recommended to wear masks indoors in areas with a high infection rate.

This recommendation is also explicitly aimed at people who have already been vaccinated.

jok