A committee room hearing in the US Congress devolved into insults and accusations of drinking among Republican and Democrat lawmakers. During a hearing to decide if Attorney General Merrick Garland could be held in contempt of Congress, Georgia Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene made disparaging remarks about Democrat Jasmine Crockett’s appearance, specifically mocking her fake eyelashes. This led to a heated exchange between the two lawmakers, with Chairman James Comer struggling to maintain control of the proceedings for around an hour. Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez condemned Greene’s remarks as disgusting and unacceptable.
Marjorie Taylor Greene’s insults continued, with her taunting Ocasio-Cortez and questioning if her feelings had been hurt. The exchange escalated further, with top Democrat Jamie Raskin rebuking Greene for her behavior, stating that it was beneath her. Although Greene agreed to strike her words from the record, she refused to apologize to Crockett, causing further anger among Democrats. When asked to engage in a debate with Greene, Ocasio-Cortez declined, leading to the Republican’s final derogatory comment about her intelligence.
Despite the controversial comments and insults exchanged during the hearing, Chairman Comer stated that Greene’s actions did not violate House rules. This decision left Crockett confused and frustrated, questioning the chairman’s interpretation of what constitutes engaging in personalities. The back-and-forth continued, with Republican Representative Anna Paulina Luna requesting that Crockett’s words be stricken from the record, which sparked a vocal response from Democrats. The tense atmosphere highlighted the ongoing divisions and lack of civility among lawmakers in Congress.
The hearing was part of House Republicans’ ongoing efforts to challenge and impeach President Joe Biden, a mission that has been met with little success. House Speaker Mike Johnson admonished members after the heated exchange, emphasizing the importance of treating each other with dignity and respect, even in times of disagreement. Despite calls for a more respectful and civil discourse, the incident involving Greene and Crockett underscored the challenges and divisions within Congress. This latest episode added to the growing tensions and contentious atmosphere in US politics, highlighting the need for greater civility and respect among lawmakers.
