Political Thread

[The Monk]

First up:-

US Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell calls Marjorie Taylor Greene's 'loony lies' a 'cancer'



US Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell has denounced newly elected House of Representatives Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene, calling the far-right Georgian politician's staunch belief in conspiracy theories and "loony lies" a "cancer" for the party.

"Loony lies and conspiracy theories are cancer for the Republican Party and our country," Senator McConnell said.

"Somebody who's suggested that perhaps no airplane hit the Pentagon on 9/11, that horrifying school shootings were pre-staged, and that the Clintons crashed JFK Jr's airplane is not living in reality.

"This has nothing to do with the challenges facing American families or the robust debates on substance that can strengthen our party."

Ms Greene hit back via social media, saying the "real cancer for the Republican Party is weak Republicans who only know how to lose gracefully".

"This is why we are losing our country," she posted to Twitter.

The statement comes as Democrats in the House were mounting an effort to formally rebuke Ms Greene, who has a history of making racist remarks, embracing conspiracy theories and endorsing violence directed at Democrats.




It also puts pressure on House Republican leaders to discipline her.

Democrats plan to send a resolution to the House floor on Wednesday local time that would strip Ms Greene of assignments on the House education and budget committees, if House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy does not do so first.

"It is my hope and expectation that Republicans will do the right thing and hold Ms Greene accountable, and we will not need to consider this resolution," said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.

"But we are prepared to do so if necessary."

Some Democrats have called for going further and expelling Ms Greene from the House — an unlikely outcome that would require backing from Republicans, since expulsion requires a two-thirds vote.

Another option is censure.

Greene remains defiant as Democrats attempt to confront the far right