In a historic moment for American democracy, a Republican lawmaker took a big ol’ puff of liberty during a congressional hearing on Thursday.
Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) used a vaporizer to punctuate his argument against an amendment to ban e-cigarette use on passenger airplanes in a House Transportation Committee meeting.
“First, I’d like to say this,” Hunter said, pausing to take a hearty drag on his vaporizer and exhale a plume of white vapor.
The lawmaker seated next to him, identified by Stat News as Rep. Candice Miller (R-MI), can be seen fanning away the cloud in video of the hearing.
“So, this is called a vaporizer. There’s no combustion, no carcinogens,” Hunter continued. “This has helped thousands of people quit smoking. It’s helped me quit smoking.”
“This is the future,” he said. “For freedom’s sake, and for the sake of people who are trying to quit smoking and quit dipping, and still have nicotine, I would urge my friends and colleagues to oppose this amendment.”
The committee voted to approve the amendment.
Watch Hunter’s full speech below: