California Democrats are saying Speaker Kevin McCarthy ignored a request from lawmakers to postpone scheduled Thursday votes to accommodate the funeral of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein.
“So far he has not responded. And all indications are that he’s just going to keep on with the votes,” said Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.). “Of course, he may not be the speaker by that time.”
A half dozen California Democrats missed votes on Monday night. The outreach came as party leaders on both sides were scrambling Tuesday to lock down lawmakers’ attendance ahead of expected close votes on the motion to oust McCarthy. In the first of Tuesday afternoon’s votes, Democratic members voted by hand to stall for time amid the attendance push.
Multiple Democrats were expected to be absent Tuesday including Rep. Mary Peltola (D-Alaska), who was out after her husband’s death. Others, like Frederica Wilson, are racing to get back to D.C. after missing votes for other reasons on Monday night. At least two Republicans were expected to miss votes too, according to multiple Republicans familiar with the situation.
Olivia Beavers contributed.
