Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Rejects Rep. Ted Yoho’s Apology For ‘Rude’ Remarks Calling Her A ‘F— B—-‘

Rep. Ted Yoho (R-Florida) apologized to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York) Wednesday morning after rude comments he made to the progressive lawmaker on the Capitol steps Monday.

On Monday, Yoho confronted Ocasio-Cortez outside the Capitol, telling the New York Democrat she was “disgusting” for her recent remarks tying poverty and unemployment to the recent spike in crime in New York City.

Ocasio-Cortez reportedly told Yoho he was being “rude.” He allegedly then called her a “f—ing b*tch.”

His remarks prompted bipartisan backlash, with House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Maryland) calling it “conduct that needs to be sanctioned,” and Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) confirming that “she is not a b*tch” and generally gets along well with Republican colleagues.

In his later remarks on the House floor, Yoho denied that he had used the slur.

“I rise today to apologize for the abrupt manner of the conversation I had with my colleague from New York. It is true that we disagree on policies and visions for America, but that does not mean we should be disrespectful,” he said in the floor speech. “Having been married for 45 years with two daughters, I’m very cognizant of my language,” he added. “The offensive name-calling words attributed to me by the press were never spoken to my colleagues, and if they were construed that way, I apologize for the misunderstanding.”

He then underscored his concern for addressing poverty, but said he “cannot apologize for my passion or for loving my God, my family and my country.”

“As my colleagues know, I’m passionate about those affected by poverty. My wife, Carolyn, and I started together at the age of 19 with nothing,” he said. “We did odd jobs, and we were on food stamps. I know the face of poverty and for a time it was mine. That is why I know people in this country can still, with all its faults, rise up and succeed and not be encouraged to break the law.”

He continued: “I will commit to each of you that I will conduct myself from a place of passion and understanding that policy and political disagreement be vigorously debated with the knowledge that we approach the problems facing our nation with the betterment with the country in mind and the people we serve. I cannot apologize for my passion or for loving my God, my family and my country.”

Ocasio-Cortez was not satisfied by the congressman’s speech.

“This is not an apology. He didn’t even say my name,” she tweeted. “I will not teach my nieces and young people watching that this an apology, and what they should learn to accept. Yoho is refusing responsibility.”

Article by Katherine Huggins