How McCarthy Lost Control of the Infrastructure Vote

Punchbowl News: “Before the Friday night vote, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy met with a number of Republicans who were potential ‘yes’ votes for the infrastructure bill in Minority Whip Steve Scalise’s office. McCarthy pleaded with the group to hold back their votes until Democrats crossed the 218-vote threshold for passing the bill on their own. Leadership believed everyone was in agreement on the plan, GOP sources said.”

“Rep. John Katko (R-NY) then saw this clip on TV in which Scalise and Reps. Jim Banks (R-IN) and Andy Biggs (R-AZ) dumped all over the $1 trillion-plus measure.”

“Katko was furious about this clip, sources told us, and voted early for the infrastructure bill on the House floor, ignoring McCarthy’s entreaties. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) did the same. By then, it was clear that the Democrats were going to win. But the whole incident demonstrates once again how tense the mood is in the House these days — in both parties.”

Washington Post: The GOP floats punishing 13 of its members. Their sin? Giving Biden a win.