You know those House committee hearings that are supposed to be all proper and professional? Yeah, this wasn’t one of those. Thursday night’s House Oversight Committee meeting was a hot mess express, filled with petty insults, wild accusations, and enough drama to fill a Real Housewives reunion special. And that was just in the first hour! From Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene insulting Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s eyelashes – yes, really – to Rep. Lauren Boebert shockingly siding with the Democrats, this hearing imploded in spectacular fashion. Even the next morning, members were still outraged, with allegations flying that some had been drinking beforehand. If this is how Congress operates, who needs reality TV? Strap in, because you won’t believe what went down at this trainwreck of a hearing.
Chaos Erupts at House Oversight Hearing
Insults Fly Between Greene and Crockett
The fireworks started early when Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene insulted Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s appearance, referring to her “fake eyelashes.” Crockett demanded an apology, but Greene refused. In response, Crockett questioned if referring to Greene as “bleach-blonde” would be engaging in personalities. The exchange set the tone for the evening.
Comer Struggles to Regain Order
Chair James Comer seemed unprepared for the mayhem that ensued. He struggled unsuccessfully for over an hour to regain control of the hearing. Members on both sides lamented how the hearing descended into chaos and admitted some attending members had been drinking beforehand.
Racial Motivations Alleged
Some Democrats saw racial overtones in Greene’s attack on Crockett, an African American congresswoman. “There’s no question that Marjorie Taylor Greene uses racist language all the time,” said Rep. Robert Garcia. Crockett herself said she was singled out and pushed back against Greene’s comments.
Boebert Breaks Ranks
In a surprise move, Rep. Lauren Boebert, normally an ally of Greene’s, voted with Democrats against allowing Greene to continue speaking after the lengthy verbal scuffle. Boebert and Greene have had their own rocky relationship, indicating the deep divisions within the Republican party.
The personal insults and disarray disappointed those hoping for a substantive discussion of the contempt of Congress charge against Attorney General Garland. Instead, the hearing will be remembered for the chaos and mayhem between its own members in a sad display of today’s polarized politics. Members on both sides agreed such behavior was unacceptable and damaged the integrity of the House Oversight Committee.
Marjorie Taylor Greene Lobs Personal Insult at Fellow Member
This was not the first time Marjorie Taylor Greene hurled insults at her colleagues, but her attack on Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s appearance during Thursday’s hearing led to pandemonium. ###Greene Mocks Crockett’s “Fake Eyelashes”
When Crockett spoke up to defend her Democratic colleagues, Greene insulted the Texas representative, saying “your fake eyelashes are messing up what you’re reading.” Democrats erupted in outrage at the unprovoked personal attack. Though Greene agreed to strike the comment from the record, she refused to apologize.
Democrats Fire Back
Crockett hit back with her own thinly-veiled insult about Greene’s appearance, asking if referring to another member’s “bleach-blonde, bad-built, butch body” would be engaging in personalities. The perplexed committee chair had no idea how to respond.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called out Greene’s behavior, saying “how dare you attack the physical appearance of another person?” Rather than apologizing, Greene only continued her barrage of insults, telling Ocasio-Cortez “your feelings hurt? Awww…Why don’t you debate me?” and that she lacked enough intelligence.
Chaos and Confusion Reign
The meeting descended into chaos as Democrats demanded Greene’s comments be stricken from the record. When the committee voted to allow Greene to continue speaking, even Rep. Lauren Boebert voted with Democrats against her fellow Republican.
The following morning, members lamented the embarrassing and unproductive scene. Some Democrats argued Greene’s insults were racially motivated. Speaker Mike Johnson acknowledged “theatrics” but failed to condemn Greene’s behavior.
Greene’s personal attacks and the ensuing disorder completely derailed the hearing, leaving the contempt resolution as a mere footnote. Her insults may have rallied her base, but they further divided an already polarized Congress and made a mockery of the legislative process.
Accusations of Racism and Drinking Fly Among Lawmakers
The hearing descended into chaos as Greene lobbed insults at Crockett, calling into question her eyelashes and intelligence. Crockett and her fellow Democrats saw clear racial overtones in Greene’s attacks. “There’s no question that Marjorie Taylor Greene uses racist language all the time,” Garcia said. “Jasmine Crockett is a class act — she pushed back when she was pushed multiple times.”
Crockett herself labeled Greene as racist based on her comments. “If I come and talk shit about her, y’all gonna have a problem,” Crockett said to her Republican colleagues. Ocasio-Cortez joined in the condemnation, calling Greene’s insults “absolutely unacceptable.” But Greene refused to apologize, instead telling Ocasio-Cortez “your feelings hurt? Awww, why don’t you debate me?”
The chaos intensified when lawmakers began accusing each other of drinking before the hearing. Republicans and Democrats alike acknowledged that some members had been drinking, though they did not specify who. The implication was clear that the alcohol had fueled the fiery exchanges.
Boebert, who has feuded with Greene in the past, sided with Democrats in voting to censure Greene for her insults. But the Republican majority allowed Greene to continue speaking, prompting outrage from Democrats.
The hearing was a “mess,” as Comer struggled to regain control of the proceedings for over an hour. Members lamented the embarrassing scene the following morning, condemning the personal attacks and theatrics on display. But the damage was done, and the Oversight Committee’s credibility was in tatters thanks to the accusations of racism and drinking among its members.
Boebert Breaks Ranks, Votes Against Greene
The most surprising moment of the chaotic hearing came when Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) — who has publicly feuded with Greene in the past — voted with Democrats against allowing Greene to continue speaking after her attack on Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas). ### This notable break from her own party shows the deep divisions within the Republican caucus and signals that Boebert won’t tolerate Greene’s antics.
Boebert has criticized Greene’s behavior before, calling her “trash” in a tweet last year. While the two congresswomen were initially aligned, supporting former President Trump and his policies, their relationship has deteriorated. ###Boebert appears unwilling to endorse Greene’s personal insults and tirades, proving she has some limits when it comes to partisanship.
Democrats were surprised by Boebert’s vote against Greene, given her own history of controversial statements. ### “Even Boebert has had enough of Greene’s nonsense,” said one Democratic aide. “That shows you just how outrageous Greene’s behavior was.” Some Republicans also said privately they were embarrassed by Greene’s performance at the hearing.
However, other Republicans stood by Greene. “Marjorie Greene is a fighter who says what she thinks, and that rubs some people the wrong way,” said Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.). “But we need more people in Congress willing to speak the truth without worrying about political correctness.”
While Boebert’s vote was a small act of defiance, it signals the Republican party still has a long way to go to unite its fractious members. As long as lawmakers like Greene and Boebert are at odds, the GOP will struggle to come together around a coherent policy agenda. For now, at least, Boebert appears unwilling to fully endorse Greene’s brand of politics, even if they agree on other issues. And that unwillingness could continue to cause problems within the Republican caucus.
Speaker Johnson Weighs in on Theatrics and Decorum Concerns
Speaker Mike Johnson called for “decorum” after the tense exchange between Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene during Thursday’s hearing. Johnson urged Republican lawmakers to maintain decorum during President Biden’s State of the Union address. However, chaos ensued.
Johnson’s Plea Ignored
Johnson warned the House to have “decorum” during Biden’s address, but his plea fell on deaf ears. Greene insulted Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s “fake eyelashes,” which sparked outrage from Democrats. Crockett retaliated by mocking Greene’s “bleach-blonde, bad-built, butch body.” The personal attacks flew as Chair James Comer struggled to regain control of the hearing.
Drinking and Finger-Pointing
On Friday morning, members lamented the embarrassing scene. They acknowledged that some members had been drinking the night before. Democrats saw racial motivation in Greene’s attack on Crockett, a Black lawmaker. “There’s no question that Marjorie Taylor Greene uses racist language all the time,” said Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.).
Boebert Sides with Dems
When the committee voted to let Greene keep speaking, Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) — who frequently clashes with Greene — voted with Democrats. Boebert’s vote highlighted the widening rift in the Republican party.
The personal insults and alleged drinking show that decorum remains in short supply. Johnson’s plea for civility continues to go unheeded as partisan divides deepen. Members seem more focused on scoring political points than conducting the people’s business. Until lawmakers curb these destructive behaviors,
the public’s trust in Congress will continue to erode.
Congress must take action to restore decorum and civility. Potential solutions include:
- Mandatory training on civil discourse and conflict resolution
- Stronger enforcement of rules against unprofessional behavior
- Consequences for members who violate norms of decorum
- Leadership speaking out publicly against personal attacks and incivility
Lawmakers must set a good example for the nation. The people expect their representatives to debate issues productively and treat each other with respect. By restoring decorum, Congress can begin to heal some of the partisan divides and function more effectively. It will require members to check their egos at the door and put the country’s interests first. But if lawmakers can come together in good faith, there remains hope for progress and political solutions that serve the common good.
chaos will reign in the House.