McCarthy vows no 'theatrics' at State of the Union after Pelosi tore up Trump speech

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy vowed that he would refrain from grandiose political gestures at the State of the Union that President Joe Biden will deliver Tuesday evening.

"I don't believe in the theatrics of tearing up speeches. I respect the other side. I can disagree on policy, but I want to make sure this country is stronger, economically sound, energy independent, secure and accountable," he said on CNBC's "Squawk Box."

McCarthy appeared to reference a notorious incident at former President Donald Trump's 2020 State of the Union address during which then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tore up his speech after the president delivered his remarks, the Washington Times noted.

The House Speaker also addressed the ongoing budgetary battle over raising the nation's debt limit, which currently stands at $31.38 trillion. McCarthy sounded an optimistic tone during the CNBC interview that the nation could alter its financial course and take a bipartisan approach to balancing the budget.

"We have an opportunity to be reasonable, sensible, and responsible about this debt ceiling. Get ourselves on a fiscal track to change the trajectory," he said.

His remarks echo comments McCarthy made following an initial meeting with Biden in early February. "We promised we would continue the conversation... I think at the end of the day we can find common ground," he said at the time.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.