(CNN) House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy a "moron" after being asked by a reporter about his criticism of the Capitol physician's mask mandate in the House, another sign of the souring relationship between the two House party leaders. "He's such a moron," Pelosi, a California Democrat, said while getting into her SUV outside the Capitol, when asked about the House minority leader. Her insult came in response to McCarthy's criticism in a tweet of new mask mandates in which he said, "Make no mistake — The threat of bringing masks back is not a decision based on science, but a decision conjured up by liberal government officials who want to continue to live in a perpetual pandemic state." When asked to respond to Pelosi's comments, McCarthy questioned the science behind the speaker's decision. "Well if she's so bright, I'd like to know where the science changes in the Capitol, between the House and the Senate," he said, referring to different rules regarding masks between the two chambers.

Source: CNN July 28, 2021 15:01 UTC