House speaker battle: Nancy Pelosi “Happy As Hell” with GOP Chaos, Van Drew claims.
Several members of the House Freedom Caucus have voted for GOP candidates outside of McCarthy
Van Drew told Fox News Digital on Wednesday that he had seen Pelosi on the floor as the Republican caucus struggles to install House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy of California as speaker.
Related News: US House in chaos after Kevin McCarthy is defeated for speaker
The former New Jersey Democrat said Pelosi is “glad as hell” about the mess.
Van Drew and other Republicans are dissatisfied with the lack of progress in electing a speaker since the GOP could pass substantive and essential legislation for the American people.
The Garden State Republican said McCarthy addressed some holdout demands during a GOP conference meeting, including committee and subcommittee assignments and GOP majority chair posts.
The speaker chairs the House Steering Committee, which decides on committee and subcommittee assignments for holdouts.
Pelosi’s post-speaker happiness comes as Republicans battle to elect her successor and retake the majority.
The GOP holdouts, including Florida GOP Rep.-elect Byron Donalds, are members of the House Freedom Caucus.
Pro-McCarthy Republicans have been pressuring the “Never Kevin” crowd, but McCarthy has not become speaker.
Donalds and Indiana Rep.-elect Victoria Spartz left the McCarthy camp to vote for Donalds and vote present, respectively.
Democrats have enthusiastically nominated Speaker Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. Although McCarthy must win over 16 party holdouts to avoid losing four votes.
