Scalise denies reports of tension with Speaker McCarthy, says they have ‘strong, open relationship’

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise on Sunday denied recent reports of internal strife between him and Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

“We have a very strong, open relationship,” Scalise told ABC’s This Week. “We don’t always agree on everything, but we have a very open relationship.”

The New York Times reported earlier this month that McCarthy has told colleagues he cannot rely on Scalise. The paper quoted three anonymous GOP lawmakers.

“I know palace intrigue sells paper,” Scalise said. ‘People like anonymous sources. Ultimately, I enjoy working with my colleagues.’

The Time too reported that Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, an ally of Scalise, tried to bolster support for the Louisiana Republican as an alternative when, on ballot after ballot, McCarthy failed to get the votes to become speaker.

The support was not there, according to the report, which also said McCarthy has told people he has no confidence in Budget Chief Arrington.

McCarthy’s next biggest test was getting his sprawling debt limit legislation through the House, which he finally did after days of political bickering and negotiations. The bill ticks off $4.5 trillion in savings in exchange for a $1.5 trillion increase in the debt limit.

Scalise cited his close working relationship with McCarthy throughout the week as proof of their close relationship.

“The chairman and I have been talking to each other several times a day for the past few days leading up to the debt ceiling vote,” Scalise said. “In fact, Kevin called me the night before the vote, around midnight, we were still working at the Capitol working out the final details, and the Speaker called me.”

Scalise then accused Biden of “obviously trying to drain the clock and create a debt crisis” by not meeting McCarthy.

‘That’s irresponsible. At least Republicans said if the president serves this one, we don’t. We’re going to lead. We have passed a bill to address the problem. Now is the time for the president to get into this game, get off the sidelines and start negotiating and figuring this out — not in June when we get to the midnight hour, but today,” Scalise said.

Scalise cited his close working relationship with McCarthy throughout the week as proof of their close relationship

“The White House ultimately needs to get into these negotiations. The president has been in hiding for two months, Martha. That is not acceptable to Americans. They expect the president to sit in a room with Speaker McCarthy and start negotiating, not hide.”

He called on the Senate to pass its own debt ceiling bill.

“We just passed a bill that addresses the debt ceiling. And despite everything we’re hearing from our senate friends, Martha, they haven’t taken anything yet. If they have a better idea, I want to see that bill and tell them to pass it through the Senate. We just passed the bill through the House and we’ve been very vocal,” he said.