Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) was reportedly angry after losing his bid to become chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.
Reportedly, Buchanan’s ties to the sometimes left-leaning Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) cost him the chairmanship.
Buchanan was in a three-way fight for the position of chair of the powerful committee. Following his loss, he accused new House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) of thwarting his efforts.
Puck News reported that Buchanan’s confrontation with McCarthy was “fierce,” requiring McCarthy’s security detail to step in to protect the speaker and de-escalate the situation.
McCarthy’s staff later rebuffed that report, saying that the involvement of security was not required, but acknowledged there was a “tense exchange” between McCarthy and Buchannan.
The angry Buchanan often touted his seniority in the House as he maneuvered to secure the chairmanship against rivals Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Jason Smith (R-MO). Ultimately, Rep. Jason Smith won.
After confronting McCarthy, Buchanan congratulated Smith while warning
the committee has a “big agenda.”
“I want to congratulate Jason and wish him well,” Buchanan said. In the same statement, Buchanan complained that Florida “hasn’t [produced] a committee chairman in five years despite being the fastest growing state with the second largest Republican delegation in the House.”
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