Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, was jeered Wednesday during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on creating a commission to study the possibility of reparations after slamming Democrats for what he called their record on racism and discrimination.

Gohmert had earlier submitted to the Congressional Record screenshots from the Democratic Party’s website, outlining the organization’s history. The Tea Party member then alleged the page omitted information about how the party’s platform previously supported or was silent on slavery and segregation, how former Democratic presidents owed slaves, the role Democratic lawmakers played in introducing Jim Crow laws, and the number of Democratic senators who opposed the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
“It is important that we know our history, and we not punish people today for the sins of their predecessors in the Democratic Party,” Gohmert said during the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Subcommittee hearing on H.R. 40., the measure that would form the commission.
“You lie!” one member of the public in attendance shouted in response.
“I just stated all facts,” the Texas Republican replied. “Again, we have people who are denying history. That’s not helpful to our discussion.”
H.R. 40 was first introduced by former Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., in 1989. Wednesday’s historic hearing marks the first time the bill has received serious legislative consideration.