Rep. Mike Lawler Asks Kaitlan Collins if She Wants an Answer or a Debate in Tense CNN Exchange
Evan Vucci/AP
A heated exchange between CNN host Kaitlan Collins and Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) unfolded Thursday night on The Source, with the lawmaker growing increasingly frustrated by Collins’ persistent interruptions. At one point, Lawler was left exasperated, asking the host if she wanted an answer or a debate.
The tension began when Collins challenged Lawler’s claim that Democrats were solely responsible for the collapse of a revised temporary spending bill that failed in the House, contributing to the looming threat of a government shutdown. “I find it so jarring that every single Democrat – except two – voted to shut the government down,” Lawler remarked, starting his explanation of why the bill failed.
However, Collins quickly interjected, pointing out that 38 House Republicans had also voted against the bill, which was backed by former President Donald Trump. “Totally different reasons,” Lawler replied, trying to steer the conversation back to his main point.
But Collins, seemingly amused, pressed on, emphasizing the bipartisan nature of the opposition. “But you still voted the same way,” she noted, further highlighting the 38 Republicans who voted against the bill.
Lawler, visibly frustrated, responded by reiterating that 197 Democrats had voted against the bill, pushing the responsibility for the shutdown back on the Democrats. “But the deal that they negotiated was blown up yesterday,” Collins retorted, bringing up a previous negotiation collapse.
As Collins continued to press him on whether Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) had negotiated the deal with Democrats — and if the issue should lie with Johnson — Lawler’s patience began to wear thin. “Let me answer please,” he said, before asking pointedly, “Would you like me to answer, or do you want to debate it?”
Lawler then shifted the blame to President Joe Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), emphasizing that House Republicans had done their part to try and keep the government funded. “So you want to just focus on House Republicans – we put a bill on the floor today to keep the government funded,” he said.
“But the fact is, many Democrats have always voted to pass a CR and increase the debt ceiling, and the reason they didn’t do that today is because they don’t want to lose leverage in the new Congress. And that, to me, is absolutely pathetic.”
