House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) took a few minutes in his concluding floor remarks Thursday to scold a Republican representative who shouted “go back to Puerto Rico!” during Rep. Tony Cardenas’ (D-CA) speech on the shutdown.
“I would hope that we could refrain from any implications which have any undertones of prejudice or racism or any kind of -ism that would diminish the character and integrity of one of our fellow members,” Hoyer said.
For the record, Cardenas is from Los Angeles. Politico reported that Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO) shouted the remark. Smith’s spokesperson said in a statement that “Congressman Smith’s comment was directed at all the Democrats who were vacationing down in Puerto Rico last weekend during the government shutdown, not towards any individual member.”
Watch Hoyer’s remarks here:
— TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) January 17, 2019
