Rep. Ellmers addresses House GOP on email rumors

A North Carolina congresswoman Rep. Renee Ellmers thanked fellow Republicans for their support Friday after many received incendiary emails alleging an affair between her and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, according to two Republicans in the closed-door meeting. The emails arrived at a time of bitter division within the House GOP and the Republican Party nationally, with hardline conservatives increasingly at odds with more establishment-aligned figures, including McCarthy. Ellmers stood up to speak in an open-microphone portion of the meeting being held the morning after McCarthy shocked the House by taking his name out of contention to become the next speaker. She thanked fellow lawmakers for their support and prayers and said she was sorry they had received the emails.