AOC refuses Florida GOP lawmaker’s apology for calling her a ‘f—ing b–tch’ at Capitol
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez stated that Rep. Ted Yoho refused to take responsibility for his actions
New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) did not accept a formal apology Wednesday from Florida’s Rep. Ted Yoho after he called her a “f—ing b–tch” the day before on the U.S. Capitol steps.
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The conservative lawmaker who represents Florida’s 3rd congressional district apologized on the House floor for his words, The Hill reported. Despite the apology, he denied calling the congresswoman out of her name.
“I rise today to apologize for the abrupt manner of the conversation I had with my colleague from New York. It is true that we disagree on policies and visions for America, but that does not mean we should be disrespectful,” he said.
Yoho invoked his family as a defense, insisting he would not disparage AOC in any crude terms.
“Having been married for 45 years with two daughters, I’m very cognizant of my language,” he said.
“The offensive name-calling words attributed to me by the press were never spoken to my colleagues, and if they were construed that way, I apologize for the misunderstanding.”
As theGrio previously reported, Yoho confronted Ocasio-Cortez on Monday night because he took offense to her “disgusting” claims that the crime rate in New York was soaring due in part due to poverty. She labeled his behavior as “rude” in the brief exchange that was witnessed by a reporter and Rep. Roger Williams.
Yoho maintained that his passions simply got the better of him.
“As my colleagues know, I’m passionate about those affected by poverty. My wife, Carolyn, and I started together at the age of 19 with nothing. We did odd jobs, and we were on food stamps. I know the face of poverty and for a time it was mine,” he said.
“That is why I know people in this country can still, with all its faults, rise up and succeed and not be encouraged to break the law.”
Yoho promised to handle himself with more decorum. However, he would not apologize for holding onto values he said were near and dear to him.
“I will commit to each of you that I will conduct myself from a place of passion and understanding that policy and political disagreement be vigorously debated with the knowledge that we approach the problems facing our nation with the betterment with the country in mind and the people we serve. I cannot apologize for my passion or for loving my God, my family and my country,” he said.
Yoho’s apology came after House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) stated his behavior is “conduct that needs to be sanctioned.”
AOC agreed, tweeting that Yoho did not “apologize or name any action he did” and was not accepting responsibility. She also said that he denied directing the profanity at her.
“Republican responds to calling a colleague “disgusting” & a “f—ing b*tch” w/ “I cannot apologize for my passion” and blaming others,” she tweeted.
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“I will not teach my nieces and young people watching that this an apology, and what they should learn to accept. Yoho is refusing responsibility.”
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