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One Republican Congressman "hit the right nerve" Friday night — and found himself facing the wrath of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.
ABC News called it "an unusual breach of decorum."
As he spoke about the border funding bill Friday, Rep. Tom Marino accused Democrats of making the border a political issue after doing nothing while they controlled the House, Senate and White House.
“You know something that I find quite interesting about the other side?" Marino said. "Under the leadership of the former Speaker [Pelosi], and under the leadership of their former leader [Rep. Steny Hoyer], when in 2009 and 2010, they had the House, the Senate and the White House, and they knew this problem existed. They didn’t have the strength to go after it back then. But now are trying to make a political issue out of it now.”
His comments incited Pelosi to charge across the floor and challenge him.
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Marino seemed taken aback as he responded to Pelosi's off-mic challenge.
“Yes it is true,” Marino said. “I did the research on it. You might want to try it. You might want to try it, Madam Leader. Do the research on it."
Marino wrapped up, noting that, "apparently I hit the right nerve,” which drew applause from Republicans, and another charge across the floor, complete with finger-waving, from Pelosi.
Image source: screengrab via ABC News
Later, a spokeswoman for Pelosi told ABC News, “Leader Pelosi just wanted to remind the Congressman that House Democrats had the courage to pass the DREAM Act – and have the courage to stand up for what the American people want: bipartisan, comprehensive immigration reform.”
The spokeswoman also claimed that, “Pelosi accepted the Congressman’s apology” — but a spokesman for Marino said there was no apology.
“[Rep. Marino] did not apologize to Leader Pelosi and does not intend to do so as he has nothing to apologize for," the spokesman told ABC News. "She was entirely out of line in approaching him while he was recognized and delivering remarks on the Floor.”
Marino later tweeted about the bizarre incident.
Rep. Pelosi called me an 'insignificant person' on the Floor of the House. I'll ponder that for a while driving to Williamsport tonight...
— Rep. Tom Marino (@RepTomMarino) August 2, 2014
...of course I'll be driving myself, with no staff or security. And I'm just a country lawyer who worked in a bakery until he was 30...
— Rep. Tom Marino (@RepTomMarino) August 2, 2014
...so maybe I am not significant enough to question the former Speaker. But why then did she get so bothered by my comments?
— Rep. Tom Marino (@RepTomMarino) August 2, 2014
Twitter users were quick to laud Marino for "telling the truth."
@RepTomMarino tells Pelosi the truth. She didn't like that. Well done.
— Keith Retorick (@Ritty77) August 2, 2014
@RepTomMarino Thank You for telling the truth.
— Jeff Anderson (@in4m8ionman) August 2, 2014
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Follow Zach Noble (@thezachnoble) on Twitter
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