House Republican accuses "bully" McCarthy of elbowing him in back

• NPR reporter Claudia Grisales tweeted that she witnessed the scuffle, stating that Burchett lunged forward toward her after McCarthy shoved the Tennessee Republican.
• Grisales added that "a chase ensued" in which Burchett questioned why McCarthy elbowed him.

The other side: McCarthy denied that he elbowed Burchett despite multiple witnesses confirming the spat.

• "I didn't shove or elbow him, it's a tight hallway," McCarthy told CNN, but Burchett said there was "plenty of room" in the hallway.

What they're saying: "He's like the guy who throws a rock over the fence when he's a kid and runs home and hides behind his momma's skirt," Burchett said after the incident.

• "You know, he's got a security detail around him so nobody's gonna be able to do anything to him. Why does he still have security detail I guess is a good question?"

• Burchett said it was a "sucker punch" and he's still in pain.

The bottom line: Tensions within the GOP conference reached new heights in October following McCarthy's removal and the heated battle to replace him.

• McCarthy has repeatedly criticized at the eight that ousted him, stating that Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) "doesn't deserve to win re-election" and accused others of seeking attention.
• Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said upon winning the gavel in October that he hopes that the conference can unify.