Florida Republican congressman calls AOC 'f***ing b***h' on Capitol steps for linking NYC crime to unemployment
Republican Congressman, Ted Yoho, in a profanity-laced insult at Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, called her a "f***ing b***h" on Monday, July 20. Yoho reportedly made the remarks during a contentious exchange with the progressive congresswoman on the steps of the Capitol. The conversation was overheard by a reporter with The Hill. Ocasio-Cortez, however, later shot back at Yoho on Twitter, writing: "B*****s get stuff done."
AOC was reportedly climbing the stairs of the Capitol Hill to cast her vote on the same day the House stood in a moment of silence to honor the late Rep. John Lewis after. She encountered Yoho there, who reportedly told her: "You are out of your freaking mind." The Republican from Florida also called the progressive New York Representative "disgusting" over her recent comments, where she said that an increase in New York City crime amidst the coronavirus crisis was because of an increasing level of unemployment and poverty.
The Congresswoman, during an interview with Yahoo News, on Tuesday, July 21, detailed her altercation with Yoho, saying the Republican put his finger in her face. "He kept muttering insults at me as I was walking away, but I didn't try to make it out," she explained. "I thought he had said something but didn't assume that's what he said."
Yoho, however, during an interview with the Daily Caller, insisted that he did not use profanities as pointed out by The Hill. The Congressman added that he instead used the word "bulls**t," and said that Ocasio-Cortez was attempting to use their exchange for her own benefit.
"He did not call Rep. Ocasio-Cortez what has been reported in The Hill or any name for that matter," Yoho's office said. "It sounds better for the Hill newspaper and gets more media attention to say he called her a name - which he did not do. It is unfortunate that Rep. Ocasio-Cortez is using this exchange to gain personal attention. Instead, he made a brief comment to himself as he walked away summarizing what he believes her polices to be: bulls**t."
Shortly after the report was made public, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer called Yoho's behavior "despicable," and demanded that the Congressman make personal amends and give a speech on the House floor apologizing to Ocasio-Cortez. "Mr. Yoho owes not only the congresswoman an apology, but also an apology on the floor of the House of Representatives," the Majority Leader said while addressing the press. "It was the act of a bully. Bottom line, I think it was despicable conduct. It needs to be sanctioned," he added.
The Hill reported that Ocasio-Cortez told Yoho that he was being "rude," and as the two walked away from each other, the Congressman audibly said: "F***ing b***h." Yoho was also joined by Texas Rep. Roger Williams on the Capitol stairs at the time. When the outlet approached Williams for comments on the issue, he said he was not paying attention. "'I was actually thinking, as I was walking down the stairs, I was thinking about some issues I've got in my district that need to get done," Williams said. "I don't know what their topic was. There's always a topic, isn't there?"
AOC, on Tuesday, elaborate on her exchange with Yoho on Twitter, writing: "I never spoke to Rep. Yoho before he decided to accost me on the steps of the nation's Capitol yesterday. Believe it or not, I usually get along fine w/ my GOP colleagues. We know how to check our legislative sparring at the committee door," she added. "But hey, 'b*tches' get stuff done."