A Republican Congressman has stepped forward and admitted to yelling ‘baby killer’ while Rep. Bart Stupak was addressing the House floor. But Texas Rep. Randy Neugebauer says he was referring to the health care bill and not to Rep. Stupack.
“In the heat and emotion of the debate, I exclaimed the phrase ‘it’s a baby killer’ in reference to the agreement reached by the Democratic leadership,” Neugebauer says in a statement. “I deeply regret that my actions were mistakenly interpreted as a direct reference to Congressman Stupak himself.”
Neugebauer, elected in 2003, is a self-proclaimed conservative, whose public service is guided “by his steady Christian faith.”
“The timing and tone of my comment last night was inappropriate,” he says.
Stupak, who led a group of pro-life Democrats that fought to change language in the bill to prevent federal funds from being used for abortions, ended opposition after a last-minute deal with President Obama.
“I am comfortable voting for this bill,” Stupak said.
To calm dissent, Obama signed an Executive Order that stipulated no taxpayer money would be used to pay for health plans that cover abortion.
Stupak was in the middle of arguing against a Republican effort to derail the health care bill over the same issue when the “baby killer” remark was shouted out.
Although the deal cleared the way for Obama’s historic legislative victory, it may cost Stupak support from anti-abortion groups. The National Right to Life Committee, Family Research Council and other groups criticized the congressman Sunday night for backing the reform bill.
“Pro-life citizens nationwide know that this is a pro-abortion bill,” the NRLC said in a statement. “The executive order promised by President Obama was issued for political effect. It changes nothing.” Stupak wasn’t the only Democrat who had to dodge verbal bombshells tossed his way on Sunday.
Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) was smacked with an anti-gay slur while entering the capitol, while the day before, Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) and Rep. Andre Carson (D-Ind.) were reportedly called the N-word by protesters. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) also claimed to have been spit upon.
Even the President is not immune. Rep. Joe Wilson famously – or infamously – heckled Obama during a speech to Congress last year, shouting “you lie.”
