In a display that was out of the ordinary even for the House of Representatives’ often rowdy standards, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) charged across the aisle at a GOP congressman during Friday’s debate over immigration legislation.
Rep. Tom Marino (R-Pa.), speaking from a podium on the Republican side of the chamber, said that Democrats deserve some of the blame for the nation’s unresolved immigration issues because of their control of the House prior to 2010. Pelosi then crossed the aisle to make an off-mic comment that caused Marino to break House protocol and address the leader directly.
“Yes, it is true. I did the research on it. You might want to try it. You might want to try it, Madam Leader,” Marino said to Pelosi. The chamber’s presiding officer then reminded Marino that members are to address the chair directly, which prompted Marino to say, “Works both ways.”
He concluded his comments with a final dig.
“I urge my colleagues to vote for this legislation, because apparently, I hit the right nerve.”
Pelosi was then caught on video across the aisle shaking her finger at Marino.
“[S]he went over there and said, ‘You’re insignificant,’ ” Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.), who was on the floor at the time, said, according to The Hill.
There were conflicting statements from Marino’s and Pelosi’s offices as to whether or not the Pennsylvania Republican apologized about the incident. Pelosi’s office claimed he did, but per ABC News, a spokesperson for Marino said no such apology occurred.
“[Rep. Marino] did not apologize to Leader Pelosi and does not intend to do so as he has nothing to apologize for.”
The House passed a $694 million immigration package to deal with the ongoing border crisis Friday night, largely along party lines, as well as a separate vote to shut down President Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) executive order he issued in 2012.
ABC News | More ABC News Videos
(h/t The Blaze)
