Rep. Skelton To Rep. Akin: "Stick It Up Your Ass" (VIDEO)

(AP) WASHINGTON — Show me some civility, Republicans cried Friday after a Missouri congressman speaking on the House floor was caught on microphone apparently cussing out a fellow Missourian.

Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton, D-Mo., had just finished addressing his Republican colleague Todd Akin Thursday.

Skelton then turned to the side and muttered "stick it up your ass."

The comment was just audible on the C-SPAN tape of the proceedings and was not included in the Congressional Record, the official record of speeches on the House and Senate floor.

Skelton's spokeswoman, Jennifer Kohl, said the comment was not intended to be broadcast and was "said out of frustration in the heat of debate." She said Skelton, a veteran lawmaker known for working well with Republicans, planned to apologize to Akin.

The dispute arose over opposition from Akin and other Republicans to inclusion in a major defense policy bill of a provision extending federal hate crimes law to include violence against gays.

Akin, a member of the Armed Services Committee, had spoken before Skelton, saying the hate crimes measure was "poisonous enough in fact that we refuse to be blackmailed into voting for a piece of social agenda that has no place in this bill."

Skelton, in his on-mike reply, said he wanted "to remind my fellow Missourian" that the Senate had voted for the defense bill, with the hate crimes provision, by a vote of 87-7.

Akin's spokesman, Steve Taylor, said the remark was "shocking and not characteristic of Skelton's behavior." He said Akin, who has a son going to Afghanistan in three weeks and is normally a strong supporter of defense legislation, was "very disappointed in the personal digression."

National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Tom Erickson issued a statement that "Skelton needs to apologize, not only to his colleagues in the House, but also to his constituents who shouldn't have to put up with this sort of behavior from their elected representatives."

Both parties have complained recently about the lack of civility in the House, the Democrats after Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., yelled out "you lie" during a speech by President Barack Obama on health care legislation, and Republicans after Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla., said on the House floor that the GOP approach to health care reform was telling sick people to "die quickly."

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Comments

[Bassman]

Yes.

[missouriwatcher]

Mr. Skelton, has a lot more patience than I do. I'm sure he is even more tired of Republican no-can-do, birther, "right-to-life until you're born", save-the-h­ealthinsur­ance-compa­nies, and other stupid tirades than I am. Mr. Akins is a total jerk from what I've seen of him.

[ilse]

No apology to the republicans. I love when the republicans say "Show me some civility". Republicans wouldn't know civility if it bit them in the ---. Have they shown any civility this entire year? All they have done is mudsling hate, lies and have shown much disrespect for the president of the United States. It's time for the democrats to stand up to these worthless republicans. More progress would be accomplished if the republicans were completely out of the picture.

[cloudynites]

You, sir, ain't got a hair on your a$$ if you apologize.

[satanlite]

Don't you dare apologize. Republicans need a few years of eating their own medicine.

[S1m0n]

I hear Republicans are into that.

[HighPlainsDrifterToo]

I live in Ikes district and will no longer vote for him. Hes been in on office far too long and needs to go.

[ilse]

I also live in Ikes district and he has my vote next election. Anyone who stands up to the republicans gets my vote. Less republicans and blue dog democrats (those that oppose public option) need to be removed. With them removed, progress can be made for the better.

[PG13]

where the sun don't shine

[MoMick]

From one Missourian to another . . . go get 'em, Ike!

[Wayne1ea]

Fantastic! The Democrats are getting their spine, and apparently some nuts too.

Very refreshing. I hope there is more to come.

[Micki Pacific]

Funny! He only said what most of us have been thinking for nearly a decade now. .

I say put it on a banner and run with it in the next election.

[jaymeegabriel]

hey.....if the shoe fits (or whatever they were gonna use)

[lagumbo]

I think Senatoe Grayson has helped the dems. find their balls. No, apology needed, this is the only type of language the repubs. understands.

[fishingriver]

I spoke to Ike yesterday before a parade in Warrensburg Missouri. He didn't seem concerned about this at all. We talked about health care reform. That issue was by far more pressing to him than any media side show like this.

[juhar]

Love it.

It was a personally comment only mention to be heard by the Repub but I'm glad the audio was picked up so that I could enjoy the comment.

His intent was not to disrupt the proceeding and was not shouted but whispered. No apology was necessary. Just glad we were able to easedrop on this one.