A Kentucky lawmaker's actions imitated the uncivil conduct of citizens fighting over masks at school board meeting and airports, in a public dispute mask wearing at the U.S. Capitol that was caught on tape.
Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, said a Republican colleague cursed at her when she asked him to put on his mask.
Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY), was in the process of boarding the Capitol train without a mask when she asked him to wear one, explaining they were both in route to the House for a vote.
"I respectfully asked my colleague @RepHalRogers to put on a mask while boarding the train,"
The tweet continues: "He then poked my back, demanding I get on the train. When I asked him not to touch me, he responded, 'kiss my a**.'"
On video obtained by CNN Beatty is heard saying, "You will not disrespect me. I will bring you up in front of ethics and everything else."
Beatty, 71 added that Rogers, 84, should "grow up" and apologize to her.
Beatty said the hostility exchanged is "indicative of the larger issue we have with GOP Members flaunting health and safety mandates."
Rogers tweeted late on Tuesday that he met with Beatty and apologized to her.
"This afternoon, I met with Congresswoman Beatty to personally apologize. My words were not acceptable and I expressed my regret to her, first and foremost."
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also insisted that Rogers apologize publicly. Having served on the Congress for 40 years the Kentucky Republican is the second most senior lawmaker in the House.
Rogers, whose aggression would not be excused with an apology in the majority of workplaces in America, stumbled through an apology on the House floor.
“My words were not acceptable and I expressed my regret to her, first and foremost,” the congressman said.
All 56 members of the CBC held a press conference on the steps of the House demanding an apology.
"I will not give Hal Rogers a pass," said Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla., who is running for Senate. "Look, we're all dealing with the same thing, but his racist, inappropriate behavior against Joyce Beatty is totally unacceptable. And we will not tolerate it."
Beatty said she forgives Rogers, telling reporters she will continue to stand for health and safety.
A public apology alone seems to trivialize a professional politician putting his hands on a fellow public servant, given the uncontained hostility that has been boiling over in various incidents of cross party conflict.
Several Republican lawmakers including Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Lauren Boebert of Colorado and Thomas Massie of Kentucky have received hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines for refusing to wear masks on the House floor according to ABC news.
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