It was either a sucker punch or an accidental bump in a crowded hallway — but to members and congressional observers alike, an incident between former Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Tennessee Republican Rep. Tim Burchett was evidence of simmering tensions in a divided Congress that has been in session for weeks without a break.
And it wasn’t the only near-fight on the Hill on Tuesday.
McCarthy has had harsh words for Burchett and the seven other Republicans who in October voted with Democrats to oust him from the speakership. But on Tuesday he allegedly resorted to throwing elbows in a bizarre encounter with Burchett following a GOP conference meeting.
