The marathon House Rules Committee on Tuesday night erupted after a Democratic lawmaker accused Republicans of using the eight-week government shutdown to take a vacation.
The committee met to debate a legislative package that would keep the government open through January 2026. Part of the package includes policy proposals like allowing Republican lawmakers to sue former special counsel Jack Smith because he subpoenaed their phone records as part of his investigation into the January 6 insurrection.
During the hearing, Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ) and Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) got into a shouting match after Ansari accused Republicans of taking a vacation during the government shutdown.
"Welcome back from your eight weeks of taxpayer-funded vacation," Ansari's opening statement began. "It's good to see you and I hope that you..."
Foxx interrupted Ansari before she could continue.
"I'm so sick and tired of hearing you all say we had an eight-week vacation," Foxx said sternly.
"That's exactly what happened!" Ansari shot back.
"I worked every day!" Foxx replied. "I don't know about you. I don't want to hear another soul say that!"
"I worked every day as well!" Ansari said. "We all worked every single day."
