A House Republican denies targeting a Democratic lawmaker of Hispanic descent when he yelled that Democrats should return to Puerto Rico on the House floor.
Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo., yelled, “Go back to Puerto Rico,” when Rep. Tony Cardenas, D-Calif., was speaking about the ongoing partial government shutdown.
“Congressman Smith’s comment was directed at all the Democrats who were vacationing down in Puerto Rico last weekend during the government shutdown, not towards any individual member,” said Joey Brown, Smith’s communications director, according to Politico.
NEWS: Rep. Jason Smith (R-Mo.) shouted “Go back to Puerto Rico” on House floor.
Statement: “Congressman Smith’s comment was directed at all the Democrats who were vacationing down in Puerto Rico last weekend during the government shutdown, not towards any individual member.”
— Sarah Ferris (@sarahnferris) January 17, 2019
Smith himself similarly denied the comments were personal when asked by the Hill.
“Simply not true,” Smith said. “Was speaking to all the Democrats who were down vacationing in Puerto Rico last weekend during the shutdown, not any individual member.”
Smith’s comment occurred while Democrats and Republicans were shouting at each other over who was to blame for the government remaining shuttered. Tensions boiled over when the two sides disagreed on whether a continuing resolution that would reopen the government until Feb. 28 should be considered via a voice or roll call vote. Cardenas has Mexican heritage but was born in Los Angeles.
Some 30 Democratic lawmakers flew to Puerto Rico last weekend for a winter retreat with lobbyists and corporate executives, where they saw a performance of the Broadway smash hit “Hamilton” and attended an after-party with the show’s cast. The trip was organized by Bold PAC, a Democratic political action committee led by Cardenas.
[Read more: Trump: I’m in the White House, Democrats are on vacation]
