Topline
A lip balm used by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R) was auctioned off as part of a 15-minute GOP fundraising auction held Tuesday—and sold to Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R) for $100,000 in a move heavily critiqued by Democrats as the two parties battle over the debt ceiling, according to Politico.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy have forged a close friendship.
Key Facts
Greene began bidding after McCarthy said he would also attend a dinner with the winner of the lip balm, according to Politico.
Florida Rep. Aaron Bean (R) led the bidding, as the lip balm up for auction was branded for his campaign, and Reps. Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) and Jason Smith (R-Mo.) also placed bids, Politico reported.
Democratic Representatives were quick to voice their criticism of the auction, with Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar (D) tweeting it was “insane” and “wild” as the country “teeters on default,” and Pennsylvania Rep. Summer Lee (D) calling it “a blatant slap in the face to Americans.”
Marjorie Taylor Greene’s office did not immediately respond to Forbes’ request for comment.
Key Background
Greene and McCarthy started out with a somewhat contentious relationship, but have become close allies, frequently defending each other through regular controversies. When Greene first made a bid for the House in 2020, McCarthy did not support her and joined other GOP leaders in endorsing her primary opponent. They have since forged a strong alliance after Greene broke with her far-right House Freedom Caucus to support McCarthy in his turbulent bid to become speaker. After gaining speakership, McCarthy told the New York Times, “I will never leave that woman…I will always take care of her.”
Tangent
The auction comes amid tense negotiations between McCarthy and President Biden over raising the nation’s debt ceiling. The two politicians met Monday for what they said were “productive” talks, but have still not come to a definitive agreement. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the government most likely has until June 1 before it will run out of money to pay its bills.
Big Number
$686,075. That’s how much the average House Republican had raised as of April, compared with an average $404,687 per Democrat, according to an Axios report. So far, House Republicans are dominating Democrats in terms of fundraising, particularly in competitive districts, as the party looks to expand its narrow majority in the House.
Further Reading
McCarthy And Biden Hold ‘Productive’ Debt Ceiling Talks—But Still No Deal As Default Looms (Forbes)
How Kevin McCarthy Forged an Ironclad Bond With Marjorie Taylor Greene (New York Times)
House GOP’s money machine (Axios)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/katherinehamilton/2023/05/23/marjorie-taylor-greene-buys-kevin-mccarthys-used-chapstick-for-100000/