Rep. Maxine Waters received a round of laughs and cheers Thursday when she voiced her support for fellow California Democrat Nancy Pelosi to become House speaker with her signature catchphrase.
“Reclaiming my time … Nancy Pelosi,” the incoming House Financial Services Committee chairwoman said.
Maxine Waters was asked who she was voting for and responded, “Reclaiming my time… Nancy Pelosi” pic.twitter.com/XIfcRhms5T
— David Mack (@davidmackau) January 3, 2019
Waters was referencing the viral moment in the summer of 2017 when she cut off Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin during his appearance before the House Financial Services Committee. Waters grew frustrated with Mnuchin when he began praising her work for California instead of answering why he never responded to a letter she sent him.
“I don’t want to take my time up by how great I am,” she said, interrupting him. “Reclaiming my time, reclaiming my time, reclaiming my time.”
RECLAIMING MY TIME! #IWD2018 pic.twitter.com/1QYNnhzNAI
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) March 9, 2018
The phrase regarding the parliamentary procedure has since become synonymous with Waters. She even used it again with the Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney, now acting White House chief of staff, when pressing him about the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Maxine Waters cuts off Mick Mulvaney with “reclaiming my time” after Mulvaney gave her a lesson on separation of powers. pic.twitter.com/c1Ookvf1ts
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) April 11, 2018
Waters endorsed “steady, experienced” Pelosi in November for the House speakership. Previously, the pair had clashed over Waters’ antagonistic approach to Trump administration officials and her repeated calls for President Trump’s impeachment.
