Hoyer Calls Out GOP After Member Told Rep. Cardenas To ‘Go Back To Puerto Rico’

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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:

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Notable Replies

  1. Avatar for ghost ghost says:

    Way to keep it classy, GOP reps. What was that you were saying about Steve King?

  2. Avatar for msm msm says:

    If there is actually any Republican “leadership”, there should be some type of chastisement of such behavior. I’m not holding my breath.

  3. I’m not holding my breath.
    Good cause you would be dead waiting…

  4. Being too polite against the GOP idiots, but you know this wouldn’t have happened in the previous House session last year under Ryan.

    There would’ve been polite chuckles and no further comment.

  5. How good do you look in blue?

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