Thread by @jbendery

Good morning!

House Republican leaders Kevin McCarthy, Steve Scalise + Elise Stefanik -- all of whom voted to overturn the presidential election based on a lie that fueled an insurrection at the US Capitol -- are holding a press event to discuss "the failed leadership" of Biden.

I do not think these Republican leaders who voted to overturn the presidential election + spread a lie that fueled a deadly insurrection realize the irony of hosting a press event with a sign that reads "Country in Crisis."

Kevin McCarthy declares the "country is in crisis" and then begins complaining about ... having to wear masks.

"We will not allow the CDC to be political," McCarthy says, again going back to complaining about having to wear masks in the House.

"The Republican Congress will not allow this to happen."

😂

House GOP Whip Steve Scalise is now up, demanding that all children go back to school and then saying Americans are concerned about inflation.

"He canceled the Keystone Pipeline," Scalise says of Biden.

This is all over the place.

Relatedly, House Republicans are totally melting down about having to wear masks again huffpost.com/entry/gop-lawm…

Here's a snapshot of all the House Republicans at this press conference declaring a "crisis."

How many of these same people voted to overturn the presidential election based on the same lie that fueled the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol?

Elise Stefanik is up.

"America is in crisis," she says, blaming Biden and Pelosi for crime and inflation.

"Every one knows Nancy Pelosi is nothing more than an authoritarian lame duck speaker of the House," declares Stefanik.

What?

Okay they are legit holding a press conference about the "crisis in America" by taking turns complaining about having to wear masks in the Capitol.

"This ridiculous mask mandate," says Texas GOP Rep. Tony Gonzales.

😂

Also the GOP's "lame duck speaker" line is one they've been using lately, but it makes no sense. Pelosi is speaker until at least Nov. 2022, just like any speaker is speaker for 2 years at a time.

I guess every speaker is a lame duck speaker after they become speaker?

GOP Rep. Brad Wenstrup, a doctor: The vaccine is effective, but the Biden admin isn't doing enough to come up with treatments for COVID.

"Treatments are what got us through HIV. Treatment will also be a key part of what we can do in American to end this scourge."

What.

McCarthy is wrapping up, saying things about crime and "woke-ism."

"These are things we're gonna fight."

McCarthy again complains about having to wear a mask.

"We've watched Speaker Pelosi politicize medicine, just as she's doing right now."

Dozens of Republicans in Congress are not vaccinated. Every Democrat is vaccinated.

McCarthy on Pelosi calling him "a moron" for saying the House's mask mandate is not based in science:

"That is not a speaker for America*."

*McCarthy, who would very much like to be speaker, voted to overturn the election based on a lie that fueled a deadly insurrection.

Well that press conference was... something.

That was supposed to be the House GOP's powerful parting message before Congress adjourns for several weeks. Their message was mostly lots of complaining about having to wear masks at the Capitol.