Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) and MSNBC host Stephanie Ruhle went back and forth over the lawmakerâs opposition to House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthyâs (R-Calif.) bid for speaker.
Ruhle spoke with Boebert about the issue during an interview Wednesday night.
During the conversation, Ruhle pointed out McCarthy has â200 votes,â adding, âYesterday you backed Jim Jordan. Today you are backing Byron Donalds as speaker. Heâs got 20 votes.â
She asked Boebert, âYou think that guy is getting to 218 tomorrow?â
Boebert replied, âI know that there are many of our colleagues who are cheering us on silently.â
Ruhle appeared frustrated, saying, âSilently wonât help maâam.â
The Republican remained confident they would get there with the votes.
âLook, Kevin McCarthy has been in leadership for 14 years. What does he have to show for that?â Boebert said.
She explained, âWe arenât just electing somebody who can fundraise and just rubberstamp him into office. Thatâs not what I was elected to doâŚBut this is us working and actually using our votes, and I believe our Founding Fathers intended it to be this way.â
Pushing back, Ruhle told Boebert, âOkay, well, our Founding Fathers arenât here. So letâs get real and letâs get practical.â
Watch the conversation below:
The host went on to suggest they should name names.
âIâm going to be bold. Iâm going to take the leap and say Byron Donalds is not going to get to 218âŚSo letâs go with realistic names. Could you support Steve Scalise?â Ruhle said.
Boebert responded, âI donât think that I could support any current leadership, and I believe that many of my colleagues feel the same way. We need a change in leadership, and so that isnât a name that Iâm entertaining.â
Ruhle went on to point out that, without putting a speaker in place, none of their agenda is going to get done.
Additionally, the MSNBC host said a takeaway from the midterm elections was that Americans are ready for Congress to work together.
âWhat you are doing today is blocking your party. Is that what your voters asked you to do?â Ruhle said.
Boebert replied, âItâs been two days. Itâs not the end of the world. We are going to come together.â
Asking her final question, Ruhle said, âDan Crenshaw and these other Republicans, do you see yourself working with them again? In the last 24 hours, heâs called you the enemy and said you would rather work with Democrats than Republicans. He thinks youâre doing all of this for attention. And letâs be honest, youâve never been on with me before.â
The Republican explained, âWeâre going to handle the issues that the American people care about. We just need to elect a Speaker. And itâs okay if it takes a couple of days. Itâs not the end of the world. There will be a new news cycle that comes around.â
CNN reported on Thursday that McCarthy has been nominated for a seventh ballot following the Houseâs return after adjourning Wednesday night.
The outlet noted McCarthy was unable to reach a majority during the six rounds of voting over two days.
