Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) called House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) "mind-numbingly stupid" for suggesting that Republicans are attacking Attorney General Eric Holder in order to advance an agenda of voter suppression.
"It's really beneath the office of a member of Congress to say something that outrageous, and the fact that she was once the Speaker is mind numbing," Gowdy told Fox News on Thursday. "So I don't know what was wrong with her yesterday or today or whenever she said that, but I would schedule an appointment with my doctor if she thinks that we are doing this to suppress votes this fall. That is mind-numbingly stupid," he said.
Republicans are calling for Holder's head over the “Fast and Furious” gun-smuggling operation. The Department of Justice has invoked executive privilege, preventing certain documents from being released to the House Oversight Committee, which prompted the GOP-controlled committee to vote to hold Holder in contempt of Congress this week. Many top Republicans are also demanding his resignation.
But Pelosi thinks the anti-Holder drumbeat is about something else: Holder has pursued a series of anti-voter-suppression investigations in states around the country, including Florida, where there are allegations of minority disenfranchisement.
“I’m telling you, this is connected,” Pelosi said during a news conference Thursday. “It is no accident. It is a decision and it is as clear as can be. It’s not only to monopolize his time, it’s to undermine his name ... as he goes forward to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
10 more stories from beyond the presidential election:
30-Year-Old Candidate Challenges 12-Term Congressman Jim McDermott [Ballard News Tribune]
Low Turnout Expected In Oklahoma Republican Primary Election [NewsOK]
Tea Party Hopes To Challenge Tommy Thompson In Wisconsin Senate Race [Sheboyban Press]
Texans Press Congressional Delegation Against Citizens United [KVUE]
Allen Airs First TV Ads in Virginia Senate Race [Washington Examiner]
Group Asks Secretary Of State Summers To Resign From Office While He Runs For Senate [Portland Press Herald]
Challengers Hope to Unseat a 20-Year Incumbent in Newly Drawn District [New York Press]
Many Predicting Close Race for 7th Congressional District [Greenpoint Gazette]
Out-Of-District Donor Supports Rival Campaigns [Times Union]
Cruz, Dewhurst Set For Debate Showdown [KTRK]