House rejects GOP resolution condemning Pelosi for ripping up Trump’s speech

House Democrats on Thursday voted down a GOP-backed resolution to “strongly” condemn Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) for ripping up President Trump’s State of the Union speech two days earlier.

The measure was rejected in a 224 to 193 party-line vote.

Top Republicans have blasted Pelosi for shredding her copy of the speech immediately after Trump concluded his remarks on Tuesday evening before a joint session of Congress.

GOP lawmakers have characterized her actions as “a breach of decorum” and accused her of disrespecting the guests the president honored at the annual event. Several Republicans, including House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (La.) and House Republican Conference Chairwoman Liz Cheney (Wyo.), have called on Pelosi to apologize.

Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas) led the efforts on the privileged resolution that was later rejected by House Democrats.

“Speaker Pelosi’s actions last night were appalling and shameful,” Granger said in a statement Wednesday. “Regardless of her personal feelings, she had a responsibility to conduct herself with civility as the presiding officer representing the House of Representatives. She is not the Speaker of the Democrats, but of the People’s House.”

Drew Hammill, a spokesman for Pelosi, later responded with a statement saying: “It is sad to see a senior Member, respected on both sides of the aisle, have to kneel at the altar of Trump in order to win her primary. That’s all this is about.”

Granger faces a primary challenge in March, and the conservative Club for Growth is backing her opponent, technology executive Chris Putnam, by funding a seven-figure advertising offensive.

In addition to the resolution, Republicans are taking other steps to go after Pelosi.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) on Thursday said he was submitting a signed copy of Trump’s speech to be archived by the House Clerk.

A day earlier, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), a top Trump ally, tweeted that he planned to file an ethics complaint against Pelosi, claiming “a potential violation of law” by Pelosi.

“BREAKING: I’m filing an ethics complaint against @SpeakerPelosi for destroying @realDonaldTrump’s State of the Union speech. Her conduct was beneath the dignity of the House, and a potential violation of law (18 USC 2071). Nobody is above the law. She must be held accountable,” he tweeted.

Hammill has dismissed Gaetz’s complaint as a “frivolous stunt.”

Pelosi on Thursday defended her actions.

“I tore up a manifesto of mistruths,” she told reporters during her weekly press conference. “It was necessary to get the attention of the American people to say, ‘This is not true. And this is how it affects you.’ And I don’t need any lessons from anyone, especially the president of the United States, about dignity.”

Updated at 4:49 p.m.