GOP Representative Tells Town Hall Attendee To 'Shut Up'
- 7 years ago
A Texas congressman is facing backlash after telling a town hall attendee to “shut up.”
A Texas congressman is facing backlash after telling a town hall attendee to “shut up," reports the Dallas Morning News.
The incident reportedly occurred last weekend during a town hall event held by Republican Representative Joe Barton in Frost, Texas.
A video posted online shows a man asking the lawmaker about the Violence Against Women Act. The attendee said, “Now given your voting record opposing legislation protecting women from violence, will you make a commitment to us today--make a promise--that you will reach out to Congresswoman Jackie Speier and work with her to see this bill successfully through Congress."
After many in the crowd applauded the man’s statement, Barton said, “On the first bill that I voted against, that’s a true statement, and I voted against it because I think that is a state issue, not a federal issue.”
Some people began booing in response, and a voice can be heard on the video saying, “No, civil rights don’t go to states.”
Another man shouted out, “Violence against women--that’s a national issue. That is an issue that impacts everyone everywhere, not only in this country but everywhere.”
And when someone else yelled, “You represent Texas first!” Barton pointed and said, “You, sir, shut up.”
The congressman has since responded to the controversy, telling the Huffington Post, in part, “Over the weekend in Frost, one [gentleman] continued to speak over myself and many others who were seeking recognition in orderly fashion. I did, however, return to him for the last question of the meeting and allow him the opportunity to voice his concerns.”
A Texas congressman is facing backlash after telling a town hall attendee to “shut up," reports the Dallas Morning News.
The incident reportedly occurred last weekend during a town hall event held by Republican Representative Joe Barton in Frost, Texas.
A video posted online shows a man asking the lawmaker about the Violence Against Women Act. The attendee said, “Now given your voting record opposing legislation protecting women from violence, will you make a commitment to us today--make a promise--that you will reach out to Congresswoman Jackie Speier and work with her to see this bill successfully through Congress."
After many in the crowd applauded the man’s statement, Barton said, “On the first bill that I voted against, that’s a true statement, and I voted against it because I think that is a state issue, not a federal issue.”
Some people began booing in response, and a voice can be heard on the video saying, “No, civil rights don’t go to states.”
Another man shouted out, “Violence against women--that’s a national issue. That is an issue that impacts everyone everywhere, not only in this country but everywhere.”
And when someone else yelled, “You represent Texas first!” Barton pointed and said, “You, sir, shut up.”
The congressman has since responded to the controversy, telling the Huffington Post, in part, “Over the weekend in Frost, one [gentleman] continued to speak over myself and many others who were seeking recognition in orderly fashion. I did, however, return to him for the last question of the meeting and allow him the opportunity to voice his concerns.”