Rep. Joe Cunningham cracked open a beer on Thursday with his time in the House coming to a close.
“Our country would be much better served if Democrats and Republicans could come together,” Cunningham said in a farewell speech on the House floor.
“My grandfather always told me that you can get through about any problem if you actually sit down with somebody and have a beer together,” he added.
“For the betterment of this country, we have to come together. We have to sit down and listen to each other and maybe even have a beer. In the spirit of bipartisanship and cooperation,” the congressman said as he took a can out of his shirt, “I raise this glass to my colleagues, both Democrats and Republicans.”
South Carolina congressman Joe Cunningham cracked open a beer on the floor of the House of Representatives. pic.twitter.com/CP9bkETjKa
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) December 17, 2020
The Democrat was defeated by Republican Nancy Mace in his reelection bid to South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District.
In a response video, Mace said, “Yeah, I’ll drink to that” and cracked open a can herself.
I’ll drink to that. ?
Thank you, Rep. Cunningham, for your service to #SC01 and best of luck to you in your future endeavors. https://t.co/hYeVEIiNdf pic.twitter.com/f8xYG98rOc
— Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) December 17, 2020
This isn’t the first time Cunningham has sought to use beer to connect with his colleagues. At the beginning of 2019, Cunningham tried to bring a six-pack of local craft beer onto the House floor to deliver to Rep. Peter DeFazio but was told it wouldn’t be allowed.
“It’s Friday too,” Cunningham said as he laughed and walked away, according to Politico reporter Laura Barron-Lopez, formerly of the Washington Examiner.
Only water is allowed on the House floor.
