GOP Rep. Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, the newly appointed interim speaker, has instructed former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to vacate her office in the Capitol building. However, she still retains her regular office in the Cannon House office building.
McHenry's office sent an email to Pelosi's office on Tuesday evening, as confirmed by CNN. The email indicated the intention to reassign H-132 for the use of the Speaker's office and requested Pelosi to vacate the space the following day. In response, Pelosi stated that she was not present in Washington, DC, to promptly relocate her belongings.
On October 3, 2023, US Representative Patrick McHenry (R-NC) addressed the press outside the office of US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. McCarthy faced a crucial vote scheduled for Tuesday to determine if he would be removed as House speaker due to criticism from far-right critics who were unhappy with his cooperation with Democrats. McCarthy drew the ire of the party's ultra-conservative faction when he supported a bipartisan stopgap funding measure, endorsed by the White House, to prevent a government shutdown on September 30, 2023. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
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Who is Patrick McHenry, the interim House speaker?
The new Republican Leadership has many important decisions to make, and we are eagerly anticipating their actions. However, the first thing the new Speaker Pro Tempore did was order me to immediately leave my office in the Capitol," the California Democrat stated. Unfortunately, I am currently in California to mourn and honor the passing of my dear friend Dianne Feinstein, so I am unable to retrieve my belongings at this time."
Feinstein, who served as a US senator for three decades, holds the record for being the longest-serving female senator in history. She passed away last week at the age of 90 after battling declining health for months. On Wednesday, she will lie in state at San Francisco City Hall, followed by funeral services on Thursday.
Pelosi stated that the eviction marked a significant deviation from the usual practice. She highlighted that, during her tenure as Speaker, she generously provided former Speaker Hastert with a considerably larger set of offices for an indefinite period.
To her, the allocation of office space holds little importance, though it appears to hold significance for others. Pelosi expressed the hope that, with this issue now resolved by the new Republican Leadership, they can focus on addressing matters that are genuinely crucial for the American people.
CNN has contacted McHenry for a statement.
In his role as speaker pro tempore, McHenry, the congressman, will oversee the voting process and the selection of the next speaker of the House. He has the authority to recess or adjourn the chamber and to acknowledge nominations for the speaker position.
According to House rules, Speaker Kevin McCarthy had the responsibility of submitting a classified list to the clerk, indicating the order in which individuals would assume the role of Speaker pro tempore in the event of a vacancy. McHenry, a staunch supporter of McCarthy, occupied the top position on that list.
