Senator John Fetterman mocked Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia after they butted heads during a congressional hearing on Thursday.
Fetterman, a Pennsylvania Democrat, responded to the clash in a post on X, formerly Twitter, Friday, writing: "In the past, I've described the U.S. House as The Jerry Springer Show. Today, I'm apologizing to The Jerry Springer Show."
The remark prompted a response from Ocasio-Cortez, who called Fetterman a bully and promised his female constituents that she would support them.
"I understand you likely would not have stood up for your colleague and seem to be confused about racism and misogyny being a 'both sides' issue," Ocasio-Cortez wrote. "But I stand up to bullies, instead of becoming one. And to the women of Pennsylvania: I'd stand up for you too. Enjoy your Friday."
Asked about Ocasio-Cortez's response, a spokesperson for Fetterman told Newsweek: "John responded to an absurd screaming match of personal attacks in an unhinged House committee hearing."
A House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing erupted into chaos on Thursday night when Greene and Ocasio-Cortez went at each other after the New York Democrat rushed to defend her colleague, Representative Jasmine Crockett of Texas.
During a markup to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress, Greene asked Democrats on the panel if any of them were employing the daughter of the judge overseeing former President Donald Trump's criminal case. Greene's question prompted Crockett to ask the Georgia Republican: "Do you know what we're here for?"
"I don't think you know what you're here for," Greene shot back. "I think your fake eyelashes are messing up what you're reading."
Greene's comments sparked upset among committee members who began hurling insults at one another as Chairman James Comer tried to regain control of the room.
"That is absolutely unacceptable," Ocasio-Cortez told Greene on Thursday. "How dare you attack the physical appearance of another person."
The two then sparred in a back-and-forth that involved Greene asking Ocasio-Cortez to debate her and Ocasio-Cortez telling Greene, "Oh baby girl, don't even play."
Fetterman's decision to weigh in on the chaos was criticized by other progressives, like Nina Turner, the former national co-chair of Senator Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign, and progressive activist Michael Beyer.
"A black woman was insulted by a racist and AOC defended her and you are pretending like it was just drama?" Beyer tweeted at the senator. "Pathetic fence-sitter."
"Keep telling on yourself, Senator," Turner wrote.
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Katherine Fung is a Newsweek reporter based in New York City. Her focus is reporting on U.S. and world politics. ... Read more
