House Democrats call on McCarthy to take ‘immediate action’ on Rep. Greene

A group of nearly 40 House Democrats signed a letter to House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) on Thursday, calling on him “in the strongest terms to take immediate action” to address Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s (R-Ga.) behavior.

In their letter, the representatives pointed to the various disputes that she has had with Democratic colleagues since assuming offices.

The incidents involving Greene mentioned included her berating Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) and causing her to move offices, hanging a sign outside her office that mocked a congresswoman’s transgender pride flag and her repeated confrontations with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).

“These behaviors only appear to be escalating, with her recent comments at a rally to lock up a colleague,” the Democratic lawmakers wrote, adding that they believe Greene is creating an “unsafe work environment for members” and that her actions could lead to violence against them.

The lawmakers also pointed to past statements from McCarthy in which he said he had made it clear to Greene that members of Congress have a responsibility to hold themselves to a “higher standard.”

“We firmly agree with you that we, as members of Congress, have a responsibility to conduct ourselves to a higher standard. We are elected by our constituents to do the people’s work. While we may disagree on the policies, the members of this venerated institution have demonstrated for centuries that we are capable of treating each other with respect and dignity,” the lawmakers said.

“Rep. Greene’s conduct does not comport with what we expect from a member of the House of Representatives,” the letter added.

“Everyone has a right to a workplace free from harassment and abuse, including members of Congress. We urge you in the strongest terms to take immediate action to address Rep. Greene’s behavior,” they wrote.

The letter was signed by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (Wash.) along with fellow Democratic Reps. Bush, Ocasio-Cortez, Joaquin Castro (Texas), Ilhan Omar (Minn.), Katie Porter (Calif.) and more than 30 others.

The Hill has reached out to McCarthy’s office for comment.

Greene released a statement Thursday apparently responding to the letter, accusing the Democratic lawmakers of lying and calling them “Communists.”

“It’s absurd Democrats accuse me of creating an environment of harassment for speaking at a Trump rally and defining them as who they are: Communists,” she wrote.

“I receive constant harassment in public caused by the Democrat lies promoted by the media,” she added. “Democrats singled me out and kicked me off committees for doing nothing wrong, and the death threats haven’t stopped since. And now the witch hunt continues in an attempt to overturn my 2020 election and kick me out of Congress.”